FRISCO -- One of the reasons the Dallas Stars signed Michael Ryder as a free agent in July is he had a history of chemistry with Mike Ribeiro. It didn’t take long for Ryder and Ribeiro to rediscover that chemistry in training camp and the preseason.
Ribeiro led the team in preseason points while Ryder tied for the team lead in goals and tied for second in points.
“We’ve played together before and I can read off him pretty good. It’s nice when you play with someone and you get a good feel,” said Ryder, who signed a two-year, $7 million contract on the first day of free agency. “It didn’t take us long to get used to each other again and hopefully we can get better as the season moves on.”
Ryder, who had six points (three goals, three assists) in four preseason games for the Stars, played with Ribeiro in Montreal. Ribeiro was Ryder’s center in 2005-06, the first season that Ryder hit the 30-goal mark in his career.
Ryder, who scored 30 goals again in 2006-07 and 27 in 2008-09, has seen his goal production drop off the last two seasons. He scored 18 in both 2009-10 and 2010-11.
“The thing for him Is the last few years is he really didn’t have someone to pass the puck. Now he knows it is coming, so he is ready to shoot and he is a shooter,” said Ribeiro. “He doesn’t have to think he might get it or he might not get it, he knows most times I will try to find him or Brenden (Morrow) so those guys will be ready to shoot most of the time. It makes their game a little bit easier.”
The history with Ribeiro was one thing the Stars liked about Ryder. He’s also the right shot goal scorer the Stars have been looking to put on the right wing with Ribeiro and Morrow. The Stanley Cup he won with Boston last season is another plus.
“I think he is underrated. He works hard, he has a great shot, he’s a good guy and those are the kind of guys that can help you,” said Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. “He won a Stanley Cup and was a big part of it. For us he was a big acquisition.”
And Ryder sees the Stars as a good fit. Sure, there’s a chance to play with Ribeiro. But there’s also a chance to be a top line player as opposed to his role in Boston, where on a very deep team he played on what was considered the third line.
“I like getting put in those spots to be a go to guy,” Ryder said. “That’s what I want to be in, and I am looking forward to it. I want to do what I can to help the team. ... I'm feeling a lot more comfortable and I can't wait for the season to start."
Notes
*The Stars have put forward Scott Glennie (concussion-like symptoms) on injured reserve. Once he is activated he will be assigned to the Texas Stars of the AHL.
*The Texas Stars made a series of roster moves Monday. Among them were the assigning of forwards Tristan King and Michael Neal to the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL and releasing Matt Tassone, a Dallas 2008 draft pick.