The Generals are weird because they have 4 to 6 players around PPG status, but the team is the worst in their division. They are this year's junior team version of the Seattle Kraken. More of a problem I have is that OHL wasn't as great as it was for a bit of a while now. That league was predominately the best junior league year after year throughout the entire globe. Now though, I personally believe it lags behind the WHL which surpassed it in the past 3 or so years.I don’t watch juniors but is the generals anemic offensively?
They are not good offensively that's for sure. They just don't drive the play 5v5 very well at all. There is some talent there, but they score mostly off their top guys grouping together for a 1:30 PP shift.I don’t watch juniors but is the generals anemic offensively?
Thanks, what do you think Ritchie’s calling will be? w C? I’ve read(can’t remember that he might be a W) What are things you see that needs to be worked on, what are his strengths? Ritchie is 2/3 weeks back from a pretty gnarly surgery.They are not good offensively that's for sure. They just don't drive the play 5v5 very well at all. There is some talent there, but they score mostly off their top guys grouping together for a 1:30 PP shift.
People may consider it harsh, but just look at the last few years... if you don't average 1.5+ post draft, you typically are not a high end scorer. 1.4 is probably the low end of acceptable. 1.3 and below is just not a promising sign for guys to translate as impact scorers. From the 23 draft alone you have Musty, Rehkopf, and Cowen all rolling. Dvorsky was struggling but has been a monster the last two weeks. Maybe if you're an import you should get some of a break, but not a huge one (I screamed about this on OO too). IE Sale should be getting heat as he's not up to snuff.
It is early and it can turn around quick... but I'd be very disappointed if Ritchie ended the season around 1.3ppg. Production isn't the end all be all, but odds are very high if you don't produce as a +1 in junior... you can't produce in the NHL.
I think he’s a center, but one who will likely be frustrating. Not a high end skater, stays out of dirty areas, and can be a bit lazy. Has very noticeable skill, plus shot, good vision… and when he gets 3-4 strides he can motor. Reminds me a lot of Dylan Strome honestly… in both good and bad ways.Thanks, what do you think Ritchie’s calling will be? w C? I’ve read(can’t remember that he might be a W) What are things you see that needs to be worked on, what are his strengths? Ritchie is 2/3 weeks back from a pretty gnarly surgery.
I think he’s a center, but one who will likely be frustrating. Not a high end skater, stays out of dirty areas, and can be a bit lazy. Has very noticeable skill, plus shot, good vision… and when he gets 3-4 strides he can motor. Reminds me a lot of Dylan Strome honestly… in both good and bad ways.
He was hurt for a lot of last season and it was pretty noticeable. So there was some thought that his soft nature would go away with health. We are early, but early returns are not great. He’s completely healthy and it isn’t bothering him at all. Hopefully it isn’t just his nature (it has been a knock on him going back to his OHL draft).
Going to hurt if Ritchie busts and we see all these other prospects hit right around him.He was hurt for a lot of last season and it was pretty noticeable. So there was some thought that his soft nature would go away with health. We are early, but early returns are not great. He’s completely healthy and it isn’t bothering him at all. Hopefully it isn’t just his nature (it has been a knock on him going back to his OHL draft).
Yeah the draft as a whole is doing quite good. There are some guys who are not up to expectations, but as a whole the draft is doing well.Going to hurt if Ritchie busts and we see all these other prospects hit right around him.
The 2023 D+1 season has been pretty damn impressive.
I don't think we are at that point yet. It is early so there should be some room for a mulligan... if Ritchie is playing similar or worse in March, yeah that would be a very bad sign.Ritchie looking like another typical Avs' 1st round pick.
Would be hilarious if their 6th and 7th rounders end up being better than the two 1st rounders of that draft.
I don't think we are at that point yet. It is early so there should be some room for a mulligan... if Ritchie is playing similar or worse in March, yeah that would be a very bad sign.
He’s way too tall for PraceyI just really hope they don't "Kaut" him, and ship him out before he turns out to be a nothing in the NHL.
I bet Pracey would love to get his hands on him, maybe swing a sneaky deal with the Oilers for Beau Akey who would fit the system like a glove
Ritchie is still a solid pick in the late 20s. Maybe he got overrated before his draft year when he got drafted 2nd overall, but some of the complaints hench brought up are legit. He is a meh skater who doesn't go to the dirty areas (plus he got a ton of powerplay points last season). Nevertheless, he does have the talent to eventually become the 2nd line centre down the road, even if it might not be an elite one like Kadri was for us. And if you consider his point totals, he was exactly a point-per-game status having 59 in 59 with a bum shoulder, he should easily have 80+ this season. At the moment, he's on pace for 66 points, which isn't exactly amazing considering he played all of last season with an injury that required surgery.Ritchie looking like another typical Avs' 1st round pick.
Would be hilarious if their 6th and 7th rounders end up being better than the two 1st rounders of that draft.
I think it's important to remember that he's coming off a major surgery and playing on a real bland/bad OHL team.I don't think we are at that point yet. It is early so there should be some room for a mulligan... if Ritchie is playing similar or worse in March, yeah that would be a very bad sign.
Yeah we can make some excuses, but Ritchie isn't the only guy in the injury situation and I personally feel that impact level prospects should be elevating teams. I know I have high expectations on top end guys, but it is pretty rare when a +1 has a meh year and then ends up a top end NHL player. It happens, but it is more the exception rather than the rule. The book certainly isn't written here and can change, but I want Ritchie to be leading his team up the standings, being highly impactful, and producing.I think it's important to remember that he's coming off a major surgery and playing on a real bland/bad OHL team.
Don't agree with the Ritchie narratives
Basically everything. I’m sure they’ll want to see him in the AHL for three years though.What don’t you agree with? Pretty vague.
Basically everything. I’m sure they’ll want to see him in the AHL for three years though.
I mean I’d say his acceleration isn’t the greatest in that clip.Ritchie showing off that Johansen speed![]()