Bobby Ryan thinks he can thrive as a center

The Anaheim Ducks have tried to convert winger Bobby Ryan before, and it appears that could be the case once again. The good news is that the budding power forward told the OC Register’s Eric Stephens that he’s on board with the idea, even if it’s not just a temporary change.

“It’s something I think I can thrive in and if it’s something we want to do long term, I’m open for it,” Ryan said.

The Ducks boast some nice high-end talent, but the team’s budget doesn’t allow for exceptional depth. Molding the 25-year-old forward into a useful second-line center could be a serious boon for Anaheim’s playoff hopes.

It also might help him avoid being traded.

He’s been the target of trade rumors before, and with stalwarts Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf in the last season of their current deals, it’s likely his name will sprout up again.

So far, he’s putting up the solid numbers that might help him stay put. He has two goals and five points in six games, echoing the promising work he did in 2009-10 (64 points) and 10-11 (71) more than last season’s somewhat disappointing 57.

Maybe that position change – and thus, Ryan – will stick this time around.