So Much For Michael Ryder Coming Back To The Boston Bruins

Feb 8, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars right wing Michael Ryder (73) prepares to face the Anaheim Ducks at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Ducks 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Per TSN’s Bob McKenzie via Twitter, The Dallas Stars have traded forward Michael Ryder to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Erik Cole.

The move will cause many Boston Bruins fans hearts to break or to at least sink a bit in their chest. Not only for the fact that Ryder was a huge part of the Bruins 2011 Stanley Cup run, but also because he will be joining the hated Canadiens, who are easily the B’s biggest rival and most hated enemy.

Actually, there’s one more reason too.

Many fans and sportswriters around New England were hoping that maybe, just maybe the B’s would trade for Ryder and put him back on the 3rd line with Chris Kelly and Rich Peverley.

Together the 3 formed a line that gelled during the playoffs and carried the Bruins more than a few times.

It was more than just points for this line as well, they played great two-way hockey. I know I’ll never forget this glove save by Ryder on Habs forward Tomas Plekanec during the first round of the 2011 playoffs:

With the trade to Montreal, its all but certain he won’t be joining the Bruins this season. Its like getting punched in the face while getting kicked in the nuts. I guess I kind of hoped we would be cheering for Michael Ryder this season, instead it looks like we will all be cheering against him.

This isn’t his first tour with the Canadiens either, they drafted him in 1998 and he played there from 2003-2008 before signing with the Bruins.

Just another story-line in the long history that is the rivalry of the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens.