Foppa2118
Registered User
- Oct 3, 2003
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He needs a contract first to get 9 games, which I’m skeptical he’s getting one this spring, the Avs love to withhold contracts to make the players earn them. They don’t give CHL prospects trials anyway though.
Yes he can play in the AHL this spring, we’ll see if they do that. He can’t play in the AHL next year because he’s contractually obligated to the CHL, he’s not going to go to Europe either for that reason. I would not want him going to the AHL a season early though, that benefits nobody.
It definitely benefits the Avs and could benefit Ritchie. Getting some AHL games in could give the Avs an idea of how ready he is physically and otherwise to play pro against men. Just like they did with Malinski last year.
And it would benefit Ritchie if he plays well, which might let the Avs hold off on an off season 2C trade until after they try him for 9 games next year. Which he could then have a chance to earn around $1M or so that he might not get without seeing him in the AHL first.
If the Avs keep Ritchie, it would be a big benefit to have him play well at 2C on a cheap ELC. If Landeskog comes back next year, Ritchie at 2C would help them keep important players they'd have to give up for cap reasons. That's a big benefit for the Avs and the $1M is a pretty big benefit for Ritchie.