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The news that Bobby Ryan is undergoing season-ending surgery did not come as a complete surprise. Earlier this week, head coach Paul MacLean confirmed that Ryan had been dealing with a nagging injury since November – our first tangible clue that the winger has not been 100 per cent healthy all season. But for the past few weeks, the whispers had been growing louder and louder that Ryan was playing hurt. When the club returned to practice after the Olympic break, the winger took a couple of maintenance days that raised a few eyebrows. Now that the club has confirmed he was playing for the past four months with a sports hernia injury, it forces us to reassess our opinion of Ryans first season in Ottawa. In a strange twist, every player involved in the massive Ducks-Senators trade from last summer suffered a significant injury this season. Jakob Silfverberg had a broken hand, Stefan Noesen tore the ACL in his knee and now Ryan is done with the sports hernia injury. (The Ducks may want to order some bubble wrap to protect their first round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft that they will receive from Ottawa). When he was famously left off the Team USA roster for the Olympics, many suggested that Ryan was crushed by the bad news and went into a prolonged slump. He scored just two goals in 12 games in the month of January and looked like a shadow of himself at times. Certainly, the Team USA snub hurt him on a personal level, but its rather obvious that the physical pain of a sports hernia injury was the bigger factor for his declining numbers. Ryans limited ice time was also a source of controversy in this market, as fans and media openly questioned MacLeans deployment of his No. 1 sniper. He was taken off a unit with Kyle Turris and Clarke MacArthur and was given third-line minutes instead. When the Sens were swept in Alberta earlier this month, Ryan played fewer than 15 minutes on each night – causing some to wonder aloud if there was a rift between star player and coach. In reality, the reduced ice time was likely the result of his nagging injury. In a statement to the media on Thursday, general manager Bryan Murray indicated that Ryan tried to play through the injury and doesnt appear to be concerned about how he was used by MacLean. "I know there were some times in games that he felt like he couldnt contribute very much but he stayed on the ice as required by the coaching staff and tried very hard to be a big factor for our team," Murray said. "I think he was and obviously we like that kind of person and want to treat him right in return." If you look at Ryans on-ice production from this season (time on ice to produce a point), you can see a significant drop-off once the calendar flipped to December: Month Time on ice/point October 20:32 November 16:17 December 24:42 January 33:10 February 46:40 March 41:47 Ryans struggles were a red flag for many Ottawa fans, who were concerned about his lack of productivity and compete level down the stretch. With a contract set to expire at the end of next season, there were more than a few fans who were suggesting it was time to move on from the 26-year-old winger. But now that we have a clear picture of Ryans health, its a little more accurate to say that his first season was not a complete disaster. The fact that he led this team in goal-scoring with 23 despite the injury is fairly impressive. Considering the recovery time from this injury is about six weeks, GM Bryan Murray says there is every reason to believe that Ryan will come into training camp next season ready to return to his 30-goal form. "Well, he certainly started very, very well. He shoots the puck awfully well, he scored some goals, his line obviously carried the team early on. He was a big part of that," Murray said. "I think after the hernia started to get aggravated a little bit, he seemed to shoot the puck a bit less. Overall, very happy and satisfied with his overall play and we know hell be a real contributor going forward." That last comment from the general manager seems like the one that carries the most weight moving into this summer. Nobody is certain if the Sens will lock up Ryan with a long-term extension in the coming months, but one thing is clear: this organization hasnt soured on him after a disappointing season in which he played hurt. 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Maricopa County spokeswoman Cari Gerchick says thats the finding from an autopsy conducted Thursday by the county Medical Examiners Office.Ahead of the French Open, we asked Sky Sports expert Barry Cowan to answer five key questions about this years tournament at Roland Garros. World No 1 Novak Djokovic resumes his pursuit for that elusive first Grand Slam title as part of a fiercely competitive draw in Paris, including Britains Andy Murray, nine-time winner Rafael Nadal, and defending champion Stan Wawrinka.Barry Cowan answers the big talking points... Murrays Roland Garros record A look at how the British number one has fared in Paris Will Andy Murray be happy with the draw?The key was always going to be where Rafa was. Its great news for Andy that Rafa will not be in his side of the draw, but I think its also great news for Djokovic that Nadal will be in his side. Meeting Rafa before the final would work out in his favour, I believe.The rankings dont lie. Andy is the second best player in the world at the moment and hes shown that with his performances on the clay in the past few weeks.Wawrinka is an unknown quantity. We didnt know which Wawrinka would turn up last year - he was in no form going in - and look what happened. I think Rogers days of winning the French are gone. Its a real pity that his run of Grand Slam appearances should end due to injury, but it was going to end at some stage. French Open draw details Stepanek first for Murray Can Murray take positives from recent wins over Djokovic and Nadal?Yes, absolutely. He can obviously draw confidence from last weeks win over Novak in Rome, but could also take huge positives from the way he played Novak in Madrid and Rafa in Monte Carlo. He has consistently played great tennis, but hes going into the French Open having never made the final. It would be an all-new experience, but hes been able to pass new experiences throughout his career. Why not this time? Highlights from the Rome Masters Final as Andy Murray faced Novak Djokovic in a repeat of the Madrid Open final a week earlier Will Novak Djokovic end his wait for a French Open title? Djokovics Missing Major Can Novak finally win at Roland Garros? Yes, it think he can do.dddddddddddd Hes a better player than he was last year, but theres more mental baggage than last year. He had to experience that final defeat to Wawrinka when he was the best player in the world and wasnt able to win it. No matter what sport it is, whenever you go in as favourite and dont get over the finish line, it can get harder.I think its good that he plays Rafa before the final. Playing Rafa in the semis, its playing Rafa with their recent head-to-head record. Playing Rafa in the final, all of a sudden it becomes a huge monster, because youre playing against a guy who has won it nine times and Novak has never won it. Djokovic has yet to win the French OPen title Can Nadal win the tournament for a 10th time? Nadals La Decima Rafa in form as he seeks another French crown You can never overlook a guy who has won it nine times. Hes playing great. I thought that quarter-final against Djokovic in Rome was amazing quality, it was phenomenal. The only difference between the two was Djokovic having won so many big titles in recent years, whereas Rafa hasnt really.His last few appearances at Grand Slam havent been great, so hell be looking to put the record straight on that. But hes in as good shape as hes been in a long time.The weather also could be key as if its quick in the second week, then that will definitely help him.Who could emerge as a surprise contender? Nick Kyrgios is one of the names who could surprise the big guns Two weeks ago, I would have said Dominic Thiem. He defeated Roger Federer and looked set to make a breakthrough at the Rome Masters, but the occasion got to him in the quarter-final and he was beaten easily by Kei Nishikori. Ive got no doubt that he will be a player who reaches the latter stages of a major tournament in the future. There is also Nick Kygrios of course. You cannot rule this guy out and he could break through and win a slam at some stage. Im not going to say its going to be these two weeks, but hes a player who can beat anyone on any given day. Outsiders assessed The surprise names to keep in mind Also See: Mens first round draw details Womens first round draw Djokovics missing major Nadals La Decima ' ' '