cross. Thats all it was. I truthfully d

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 Nike Tanjun Clearance Sale .com) - Delon Wright scored 17 points and No. Nike Tanjun Cheap . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.cheapniketanjun.net/... as usual. Even with the salary cap being set lower than many general managers expected and hoped for at $69 million and whats considered a shallow pool of top-end players available, this unrestricted-free-agent period figures to follow the familiar script of teams bidding up prices to keep up with each other. Nike Tanjun Discount . The four-time Grand Slam champion has beaten Hantuchova nine straight times, with the Slovaks only win coming when they first played 10 years ago. "I had a tough first opponent who can play extremely good tennis," Sharapova said. Nike Tanjun Outlet . - Considering where Jeff Gordon was after Richmond, left out of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship in part due to some late-race shenanigans, he couldnt have been happier on Sunday.CALGARY - The Calgary Stampeders signed offensive lineman Brander Craighead on Wednesday. Calgary took the former University of Texas-El Paso star in the first round, seventh overall, of the 2013 CFL draft but Craighead returned to school last fall. Earlier this week, Calgary lost offensive lineman JMichael Deane to the Ottawa Redblacks in the CFL expansion draft. "t;Im very pleased with the signing of our number one draft pick from 2013," Calgary GM and head coach John Hufnagel said in a statement.dddddddddddd "Brander has shown great commitment to the Stampeders by agreeing to this contract at this time. "Hell provide good competition and depth to our offensive line when we go to camp in 2014." ' ' '