GDT: Aves vs. Goldne Nights - Preseason Game 5... I think?

[dahrougem2]

So Fatso was good in goal?

He looked steady.

 

[Metallo]

 

[The Mars Volchenkov]

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.

 

[the_fan]

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.

He’s almost NHL ready just not quite yet

 

[GirardSpinorama]

Ritchie should go back to juniors. Didnt play a pro game. We should take the chance and go get lebanc asap.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Ya I dont know if Ritchie is ready, didn't look great tonight I thought. Particularly defensively I felt like he was slow with decisions.

He's probably going to get some games but I would definitely send him back before the 10th game.

 

[Heyduke]

Nate setup Ritchie with some good passes in the 3rd. And he totally blew it.

 

[S E P H]

Wood hasn't been perfect, but he's had an excellent training camp and preseason IMHO.

 

[Puckstop40]

Looks like the tank is over now.

 

[forsbergavs32]

Just got home

Judging by the score, we must be contending again

 

[dahrougem2]

Yeah I'm thinking the Avs might keep Ritchie solely to give him a look at some regular season games before he goes back down.

 

[The Mars Volchenkov]

Wood hasn't been perfect, but he's had an excellent training camp and preseason IMHO.

Not sure Bednar agrees. He kind of called him out the other day.

 

[the_fan]

The Avs have to grind out wins defensively until they get Val, Lehky and Landy back. This game was a good example. They were really good defensively and that’s what they need to do to start the season

 

[missionAvs]

Wow. We won a game huh? Who am I kidding, still plenty of time to lose this one.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

So we are good again?

 

[Perratrooper]

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.

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.