C Calum Ritchie - Oshawa Generals, OHL (2023, 27th, COL)

McJedi

Registered User
Apr 21, 2020
10,689
7,607
Florida
Isn't 22 games a bit of small sample size to claim "monster" and ignore his previous production?
Hunter over in Kitchener, now that's a monster of a season, bigger sample size too.

You'll have to forgive me, you once said Byram> Quinn and that Girard had more value than Quinn.
Quinn Hughes is great. I’ve been able to watch him a bunch the past two years. He's the second best defenseman in the NHL right now.
 

MarchessaultCantRead

Registered User
Mar 3, 2023
209
441
Since coming back from offseason shoulder surgery, Ritchie is now 4th in OHL scoring rate (1.70 PTS/G), has 46 points (15G, 31A) in 27 Games Played, is +28, and has dragged his team from the very bottom to 5 points away from 1st place in their division.
 

BKarchitect

Registered User
Oct 12, 2017
8,082
14,358
Kansas City, MO
Would he have had a shot at the WJC team had he not been hurt and playing like this or was he always going to be more of a 2025 WJC guy?

Hard not to be excited about him as an Avs pick and yet also knowing there’s a decent chance he’s traded at some point. But I do wonder if he is elevating himself into untouchable prospect category - his lack of explosive skating may prevent him from having true star upside at the highest level but he just seems to do all the things the Avs are absolutely DYING for in a future #2 type center. Size, two-way play, can score and dish it and seems to be a real leader while being young and cheap when the ledger is going to be tough to manage.

At some point Colorado has to hold on to a few of these assets to make the future cap and Cup window “work”. I’d say given our weakness at the position…Ritchie may be off limits even for a high end rental like Lindholm.
 

McJedi

Registered User
Apr 21, 2020
10,689
7,607
Florida
Ritchie is starting to look like a future NHL player within the next 1.5 years. Simply dominating the OHL right now.

OHL player of the month in January and now 6 points in 2 games to start February. Dragged his team from bottom of the league to 2 points out of 1st place.

Gulyayev played top pair minutes yesterday in his KHL game. 21 minutes. This kid is 18 years old in a league that hates young players. Started the season as a number 7 playing a few shifts a game. Now he’s over the boards nearly every other shift. Core player for his first place team.

Both these two bloods having incredible post draft seasons.

Avs 2023 draft looking like a winner.

And Olausson, Avs 2021 1st round pick is starting to score in the AHL. +6 with five goals in his past seven games.
 
Last edited:

Nabrules

Registered User
Nov 5, 2018
1,586
1,653
Wouldn’t have been upset if PHI drafted him at 22 this year. Glad to see his picking it up after a poor draft year in correlation to his early top 10 projection.

Think he has middle 6 upside
 
  • Haha
Reactions: McJedi

wetcoast

Registered User
Nov 20, 2018
24,592
11,506
We should have done that Lindholm for Ritchie & a 1st weeks ago....
If that offer really was there for the Flames they should have taken it IMO.

That being said they might be okay with the trade they made.
 

McJedi

Registered User
Apr 21, 2020
10,689
7,607
Florida
Wouldn’t have been upset if PHI drafted him at 22 this year. Glad to see his picking it up after a poor draft year in correlation to his early top 10 projection.

Think he has middle 6 upside
If middle six upside is the best you got… then you’re not someone that should be picked in round 1. And you’re probably not playing well in your post draft season either.
 

Nabrules

Registered User
Nov 5, 2018
1,586
1,653
If middle six upside is the best you got… then you’re not someone that should be picked in round 1. And you’re probably not playing well in your post draft season either.
There’s a reason he fell into the late first last year. If you’re disappointed in a middle 6 centre with a pick in the 20s you don’t know how value in the draft works.
 

emptyNedder

Not seeking rents
Sponsor
Jan 17, 2018
3,901
8,694
If middle six upside is the best you got… then you’re not someone that should be picked in round 1. And you’re probably not playing well in your post draft season either.
Not every first rounder turns in a ppg "real" first liner.

I think Ritchie could end up producing similarly to Brayden Schenn, but more likely he ends up like Danault (though not Selke-level) able to score 20-25 goals with 25-35 assists. Basically a 50-60 point strong two-way C.

That is not a 1C, but great value anywhere after 5OA in any draft.
 

McJedi

Registered User
Apr 21, 2020
10,689
7,607
Florida
Not every first rounder turns in a ppg "real" first liner.

I think Ritchie could end up producing similarly to Brayden Schenn, but more likely he ends up like Danault (though not Selke-level) able to score 20-25 goals with 25-35 assists. Basically a 50-60 point strong two-way C.

That is not a 1C, but great value anywhere after 5OA in any draft.
Ross Colton is a middle six C. If Ritchie only hits this level, quite disappointing.

Danault is an elite defensive C and legit 2C. if Ritchie hits that level. Great.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Mac Attack

Hale The Villain

HFBoards Sponsor
Sponsor
Apr 2, 2008
26,678
15,191
Realistically Ritchie turns into a great middle 6 center.

But if we're talking upside, he could very well be a 1st/2nd line center if he improves his skating. It's solid but not elite.

His talent level and IQ are excellent. Fell because his numbers didn't match his offensive skills. Apparently was dealing with a nagging shoulder injury for most of his draft year and that may have played a role.

Still shouldn't have fallen anywhere near 27. Avs got the steal of the draft.
 

Boss Man Hughes

Registered User
Mar 15, 2022
16,827
11,561
If middle six upside is the best you got… then you’re not someone that should be picked in round 1. And you’re probably not playing well in your post draft season either.
???? Unless its a great draft you are lucky to get middle 6 upside past the 15th pick.
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad