Very unlikely, have you listened to Bednar and his commentary on kovalenko, Kovalenko expects to play in the nhl and will go back to Russia if he doesn’t play in the nhl, and I think it’s very likely Ritchie will get at least a game stint.
I like those lines but I’m not sure if Bednar is gonna split up MacK and Mikko
I think you may have misunderstood me, I think both Kovy and Ritchie will get games at the beginning since 62 and 92 won't be playing. It will be up to Kovy and Ritchie to try and run with it and stay in the lineup.
I see the conversation you were in I understand now. I thought it wa absolute neither one of those guys were gonna start the year
Not really. Ritchie is good but let’s be honest, he was the 27th overall pick a year ago. He is physically immature and isn’t going to be playing PP when you have a healthy lineup, which will further stunt his development. Despite his point totals last year, a lot of games he’d have stretches where you wouldn’t notice him, or was physically out matched. Could he be useful this season? Sure, I think so. But for a team with next no 0 prospects after him, id want to ensure he’s developed properly and not rushed out of necessity. Why not give 03 Olausson an opportunity, especially as it looks like Ritchie is going to be used as a winger as well, a position he admits he’s never really played.
That’s the worst second line in the NHL, by far.
Right, so bad asset management and poor drafting is going to force them to rush their number 1 prospect before he’s ready, and likely destroy his future.
I don't think there's anything "likely" about that at all. You could just as easily argue that sending him back to the OHL to dominate would stagnate his offense and "destroy his future". I don't think there's reason to doom and gloom over him potentially playing in the NHL this year at all. It might do him a lot of good to start adjusting early to the NHL pace.
agree to disagree. Development in hockey is all about puck touches and playing in all situations, which he won’t get in the NHL this season. It’s just a bad look for the Avs, he’s clearly not ready to play at this level and his body is not developed for it yet. Prime years of Mackinnon and Rantanen and they’re pinning their hopes on a 19 year old.
They aren’t pinning their hopes on Ritchie, they are pinning them on Landy and Val.
Fair enough. I can see why he might start the year, but I hope he’s sent back once they’re back and healthy.
What’s wrong with giving the kid 9 games? If he shows he can play? If he can’t he can still go back. Saying anything definite is a tad premature
Holy shit that's disgusting...
I'm also not totally convinced it was intentional
Yeaaaaaaaaaa but like, would you really admit you whiffed that badly on a breakaway?
I dunno, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and believe him here. Sick play, does certainly show the kind of high end skill he has if indeed it was on purpose and the way he thinks about things.
Yeaaaaaaaaaa but like, would you really admit you whiffed that badly on a breakaway?
He needs to take that shot 90% of the time, so when he does the move it's completely unexpected.
Not at all. I’ve watched Ritchie 10x more than any Avs fan combined. I get the argument for him getting 9 games due to the injury situation, but he isn’t ready. Nice goal tonight for sure but was quiet most of the game. You guys have 1 good prospect with NHL upside, and it’s him. You have to be very careful with his development, especially since he lost all off season last year. He’s a tall kid but he’s not built at all.
Not arguing that we shouldn’t be careful with his development, but not sure I’d agree with only 1 prospect with NHL upside.
Sorry I should have specified forward prospects. Outside if Ritchie, Olausson is an 03 and seems to have been passed over by Ritchie already. Foudy I don’t think ever makes the league full time. I do like Behrens and think he’s a solid prospect for you guys.
