Could Ducks' Bobby Ryan be coming home?

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- As if these past 7 weeks of the season were not a crazy enough time to be an Anaheim Duck, things just got a whole lot crazier in Orange County.

Cherry Hill native Bobby Ryan's name has been swirling in trade rumors for the better part of the week, but Ryan actually acknowledged those rumors on Tuesday.

"I wouldn't be surprised," Ryan told the Orange County Register. "If they feel like it's got to be the right move for the team, then I'd certainly welcome it."

Sources confirmed to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun that the Ducks are listening to offers.

Without trading significant salary, the Flyers could not afford to bring Ryan back to Philadelphia. He is in the second year of a 5-year, $25.5 million contract which pays him $5.1 million per season. Besides, the Flyers need defense - and not offense - right now.

Ryan, however, could be too good a player to pass up. Now 24, was the 2nd overall pick in 2005. He played most of his minor hockey in the South Jersey area before moving on to the OHL.

It's clear that Ryan, who netted 71 points in 82 games last year for the Ducks, has been mis-managed by coach Randy Carlyle, whose name has been prominent listed on the hot seat. Ryan has just 11 points in 23 games this year.

Overall, the Ducks (6-13-4) may be the NHL's biggest flop through the first quarter of the season.

Ryan's trade rumors come on the heels of a report that the Ducks could not afford to fire Carlyle because of financial concerns about paying his replacement if the successor were to not come from within the organization. At Honda Center this season, the Ducks have averaged just 14,994 (tickets distributed) through 12 home dates - in a place where they used to be a tough ticket.

Conveniently, the Flyers are in Southern California today and tomorrow for practice ahead of Friday night's game. There may not be a better time to face the Ducks this season.

CLASSY: Former Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice, who was fired by the club on Monday for the second time in his career, left a classy note on the team's whiteboard for rookie head coach Kirk Muller.

It read: "Kirk, Good Luck. Great bunch of guys. The staff is A-1. -Paul Maurice."

Not to be outdone, former Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau - who was fired on the same day - was equally as class, thanking fans in Washington and saying: "Only the most secure, secure people don't think it could ever happen to them," to the Washington Times.

Three coaches (Boudreau, Maurice and St. Louis' Davis Payne) have already been canned in the first 7 weeks of the season.

CZECHING IN: Jaromir Jagr was nominated for the Czech Republic's Athlete of the Year award in his home country. He is the only hockey player among 10 athletes nominated.

ALL-STAR UPDATE: Toronto's Phil Kessel, who continues to lead the NHL in scoring, has taken the overall lead on the NHL All-Star tabulations after 2 weeks of voting.

Claude Giroux (151,101) and Jaromir Jagr (126,250) are 7th and 9th among forwards. Chris Pronger (100,076) and Kimmo Timonen (91,273) are 11th and 13th among defensemen.

In a Finnish publication, Timonen said last week that he would rather not play in this year's All-Star Game in Ottawa and would like to see younger players go. Timonen is a three-time All-Star and said he could "use the vacation time" this year.

Ilya Bryzgalov (84,498) ranks 7th among goaltenders.

Voting concludes on NHL.com on Jan. 4.

QUOTABLE:
"We used to cross over the Walt Whitman Bridge and the entire bus would go quiet. That's what it was like to play the Philadelphia Flyers. I can't say it was always fun playing them."
-Former Rangers captain Dave Maloney, who is now an MSG television analyst, said when discussing the Flyers-Rangers rivalry before his team's Winter Classic jersey unveiling on Monday.

THE PRIDE OF GLENS FALLS: If you have 3 minutes and 21 seconds of your life to burn, check out the hilarious Phantoms 80's night promotional video that features Jason Akeson, Tye McGinn, and Luke Pither below. Defenseman Kevin Marshall, who is currently on the Flyers' road trip, is also in the video. We have a feeling this highlight reel will be sticking with these players for the rest of their careers.

For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers