LEADING OFF SENATORS BUYING OUT RYAN

The Ottawa Senators are parting ways winger reigning Masterton Trophy winner Bobby Ryan. Senators GM Pierre Dorion and coach D.J. Smith informed Ryan on Friday morning he is being placed on waivers in order to have the final two years of his contract bought out. Ryan, 33, signed a seven-year, US$50.75 million deal with the Senators in 2014. He left the team last season because he was battling alcoholism and needed to seek help. He told his story publicly and won the Masterton Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey, earlier this month. According to Capfriendly.com, Ryan's buyout will be about $10 million and the Senators will have a $3 million cap hit this season and then about $1.8 million annually for three more years. Ryan would be free to sign with any other team if he clears waivers. The late Bryan Murray acquired Ryan in 2013, on the same day the Senators lost Daniel Alfredsson to free agency.