Ritchie turned the puck over a lot. Was trying to feed MacK but they were low percentage passes. He really doesn’t look ready but he’ll probably start the year here.
I think he gets sent back to junior after the last pre-season game and it's the right call.
Yeah I agree on all accounts. I personally thought Kovalenko complimented the top line much more. I think Ritchie was a bit nervous playing with the big dogs.
There is still so much junior in Cal’s game. Lack luster blow-bys, questionable passes through traffic when trying to setup the zone, drifting and lackadaisical defense and some hero-ball that he turns the puck over on consistently. Some of its effort related, some of its because he could get away with it in junior.
He makes some offensive reads and moves that clearly flash top 6 upside and as sad as it is, I think he has looked better than some of the other “prospects” that got sent down earlier. I just hope in junior they can push him to round out some of his effort and defensive issues.
It's too bad that he was injured last year and couldn't be in camp and this is his first true NHL camp with NHL pre-season competition. He may have known more what to expect and come in better prepared or prepared differently but at the same time, no one should be surprised that a 19 year old kid isn't ready for a significant role on a Stanley Cup contender.
Right now, he looks like he's going to need that extra year in the O and maybe even a year in the AHL as well from what I saw last night. No real excuse, he wasn't asked to carry a line with a bunch of scrubs... he was playing on the top line and did not look ready at all, not even close. I think they will give him the last pre-season game too before they send him back... hopefully they give him that game at center to see if he's more comfortable there.
My biggest problem last night was his motor and that he just didn't keep his feet moving. I don't think it's laziness per-say just the way that he's been able to play in the OHL and still have success like you're saying. If you compare him to Ivan-Ivan, that kid is going all out and giving it his all to try and make this team and that's what is expected because it's the frikkin' NHL!