Benitezs decision to get involved in a relegation batt

OTTAWA -- Bobby Ryan is the first to admit that he and Randy Carlyle had a tumultuous relationship. But he also knows his former head coach made him a better player. Ryan, now with the Ottawa Senators, played under Carlyle for parts of five years with the Anaheim Ducks. Carlyle is now coaching the Toronto Maple Leafs and the two will face each another in a pre-season game in Ottawa on Thursday. The 26-year-old Ryan, acquired in a trade from Anaheim July 5, is anxious to make a name for himself with the Senators and isnt interested in dwelling on the past. When asked about his relationship with Carlyle, Ryan said it may have been misunderstood. "It wasnt a bad relationship, it just wasnt a great one," said Ryan. "Thats all it was. Hes a tough coach and I still really do owe him quite a bit for becoming the player that I am and that isnt lost on me one bit." Ryan first arrived in Anaheim as an eager 20-year-old looking to live up to his second-overall selection in the draft. But after just four games in the NHL, he was sent down to the American Hockey League and ended up playing just 23 games with Anaheim. Over the next 3 1/2 years, Ryan and Carlyle had their share of disagreements. Looking back, Ryan admits he may not have had the emotional maturity to deal with Carlyle. Some believed the animosity between the two became so bad that it played a factor in Carlyle being fired after just 24 games in the 2011-12 season. "I get sometimes he was a little too hard on me and that was just being young and not taking things the right way thats all it was," said Ryan. "I dont think it was any reason that he was let go or anything like that. I just wish I hadnt taken things so personally when it came across. Thats all it was. I truthfully dont think he had anything but the best intentions for me in his mind." Known for his abrasive style, Carlyle isnt one to mince words. Ryan described him as demanding and tough, but in the same breath said he was fair and that he "wants to get the best out of you." "I probably took things a little too personally, but Ive gotten older and a little more mature," said Ryan. "We are not going to say hello or anything, but it certainly wont be something where Im aiming a puck at the bench thats for sure." When asked about Ryan, the Leafs coach also chose to leave any ill will behind the two in the past. "I think Bobby was a young kid that had a different body make-up from what he is now," said Carlyle. "He put (in) a lot of time and effort, and its a tribute to him to get himself in the type of condition that he is now versus where he came out of junior." He called him a "very talented young player." "Hes a player thats dangerous as soon as he steps over the blue-line in the offensive zone," he said. "He can score from all areas, and hes got a tremendous amount of reach and skill. Hes an offensive weapon that well have to deal with, and Bobbys growing into a pretty mature hockey player both on and off the ice." If anyone understands the rift between Ryan and Carlyle its Torontos Joffrey Lupul, who had his own share of difficulties with Carlyle while playing in Anaheim. Lupul doesnt anticipate Carlyles presence to play a part in Ryans performance. "Im sure hes got enough motivation," said Lupul. "He was traded, playing for a new team in a hockey market now. Hes probably quite a motivated player this year." As for Ryan, hes looking forward to playing his first game in front of home crowd fans, by all indications, have been anxiously awaiting his debut. "Im looking forward to getting it out of the way," he said. "The excitements been building in the city and for myself for a long time. Hopefully we can reward them with a good game." Ryan has only played in the Canadian Tire Centre once in his career so he expects it may take some time for him to get comfortable. "Youre always supposed to feel comfortable at home," said Ryan. "If I can get a couple games here and start to build that comfort level here in this building its important if youre going to play 41 games in this building." Notes: Senators head coach Paul MacLean said the injured D Eric Gryba and Curtis Lazar both skated on their own Wednesday morning. The recently signed D Jared Cowen will not take part in Thursdays game against the Leafs. -- With files from Stephen Whyno in Toronto Air Max Plus Nz Wholesale . They know how difficult it is to beat the San Antonio Spurs. George scored 28 points and Indiana defeated San Antonio 111-100 on Saturday night, snapping an 11-game skid against the Spurs. Cheap Air Max Plus Nz .C. -- North Carolina State coach Mark Gottfried said his team had a "golden" opportunity to help its NCAA tournament chances. http://www.cheapairmaxplusnz.com/ . The Flames are in the midst of a six-game slide (0-5-1), their longest losing streak since an 0-6-3 skid from Jan. 11-28, 2010. They havent won since Nov. 3 in Chicago and most recently went winless on a three-game homestand. Air Max Plus Nz Cheap . Levante, which had lost five straight including a Copa del Rey game last weekend, fell behind at its Ciutat de Valencia stadium when Ionut Sapanura opened the scoring for Elche in the 26th minute. Cheap Air Max Plus Nz Sale . The Kings paraded the Stanley Cup through downtown Los Angeles on Monday to celebrate their second NHL title in three seasons.Rafael Benitez must be allowed to be the decision-maker at Newcastle if they are to survive in the Premier League, according to the Sunday Supplement panel. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss was finally announced as Steve McClarens replacement in the St James Park hotseat on Friday, and is tasked with steering the Magpies clear of the relegation zone.Much of the criticism that has been levelled at Newcastle in recent years is the amount of boardroom interference from managing director Lee Charnley and owner Mike Ashley, and the Daily Stars chief sports writer Jeremy Cross believes attitudes have to change. Rafael Benitez has to make decisions, says Cross What Charnley has to do if he is going to be successful is to let Benitez manage his way, Cross saidI am sure Benitez has sat down and demanded certain things, but demands and what you get at Newcastle are totally different things.Let him get on with it, and not interfere. Keith Downie gets reaction from fans as Benitez takes over at Newcastle Despite an obvious liking for the Premier League, Benitezs decision to get involved in a relegation battle came as something of a surprise, and the Mail on Sundays chief football writer Rob Draper believes the Magpies have got a manager of real quality.ddddddddddddBenitez is the best calibre of manager since they had (Sir Bobby) Robson, youd say, Draper said. Alan Pardew did a very good job there, but he didnt have the record coming into the job Rafa has.They are in such a desperate situation, Benitez has been able to get what he wants. He can say that he wants money to spend if they stay up, that he wants to be the manager, he wants to have a big say in transfers. They could have got him when Pardew left, and Benitez was at Napoli, but they werent in the position to offer him these things.Now, they are desperate to stay in the Premier League, and they have given him those things.Benitezs relationship with Mike Ashley is the fascinating one. This will decide if this is long term or something that ends quickly. Also See: Benitez thinking long-term Rafa calls for unity Five challenges Rafas ups and downs ' ' '