Rumor: Leafs trying to trade Nick Ritchie

[Suntouchable13]

This is actually genius. Who but Dubas and Pridham and of course Shanahan could mastermind acquiring Ritchie, and then moving him for the appropriate assets?

"Appropriate assets" as in a steak dinner somewhere down the road, aka future considerations?

 

[Karl Eriksson]

You’ve been Ritchie’d !!

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Tbh he’s not going to really address that unless it’s on his terms if he gets pissed off in-game. It’s pretty rare

pretty good fighter who could become a modern day goon if he wanted to, i just Don’t think he cares enough to take on such a role

Yeah, that's the thing with Ritchie. He's got almost zero compete/intensity. He *can* throw them with some of the top guys, but 99 times out of 100 he can't be bothered to.

This applies to his physical game as well. He could be a real physical presence if he actually tried, but the majority of his shifts he just seems like a chubby kid out for a leisurely skate. If someone happens to be in his way, so be it, he'll throw a hit. Otherwise, just a bunch of cruise control.

 

[Zybalto]

Yeah, that's the thing with Ritchie. He's got almost zero compete/intensity. He *can* throw them with some of the top guys, but 99 times out of 100 he can't be bothered to.

This applies to his physical game as well. He could be a real physical presence if he actually tried, but the majority of his shifts he just seems like a chubby kid out for a leisurely skate. If someone happens to be in his way, so be it, he'll throw a hit. Otherwise, just a bunch of cruise control.

I've hated him since the start for that very reason. I think my last comment on him was that Burke would consider him illiterate on a certain subject.

 

[CDJ]

Yeah, that's the thing with Ritchie. He's got almost zero compete/intensity. He *can* throw them with some of the top guys, but 99 times out of 100 he can't be bothered to.

This applies to his physical game as well. He could be a real physical presence if he actually tried, but the majority of his shifts he just seems like a chubby kid out for a leisurely skate. If someone happens to be in his way, so be it, he'll throw a hit. Otherwise, just a bunch of cruise control.

precisely. I used to like him a bit but the more you see of him the more frustrating he becomes- it’s very apparent he has decent hands and would be able to be valuable if he committed to a physical game, he just doesn’t want to do it. And Brett is an even worse version

 

[capfit9]

We can and we will

View attachment 507200

what a muppet

 

[General Fanager]

Ritchie + 2nd rounder to the Habs for a 7th.

 

[HockeyVirus]

I would rather keep him for the playoffs. He lacks the IQ, skating, and compete to play how the Leafs do with quick puck transitions, but I think in a series against a lesser skilled team who hits the Leafs into playing a cycle style game and slow them down, he would have a chance to shine.

I'm confident there is a GM in the league who will take a player in his prime years who was on pace for 30 goals last season in the offseason. It might not be a contender, but lots of rebuilding teams would value him for a low caphit for only 1 year.

 

[Shad]

Ritchie + 2nd rounder to the Habs for a 7th.

Done

 

[CDJ]

I would rather keep him for the playoffs. He lacks the IQ, skating, and compete to play how the Leafs do with quick puck transitions, but I think in a series against a lesser skilled team who hits the Leafs into playing a cycle style game and slow them down, he would have a chance to shine.

I'm confident there is a GM in the league who will take a player in his prime years who was on pace for 30 goals last season in the offseason. It might not be a contender, but lots of rebuilding teams would value him for a low caphit for only 1 year.

He’s even worse in the playoffs, he can’t keep up with the faster pace and is completely irrelevant for the heavy majority of his shifts as a result

 

[SEALBound]

What's Toronto looking to add in reality (yes, we all know "cap space" but for what)?

And what's wrong with Ritchie? Honest evaluation is there an injury aspect to this, is this a "needs a new start" situation, is this mere downward, unexplained progression or...what's up with him?

 

[bossram]

A few thoughts here...

It could be something where 2-3 contracts make their way to the Leafs but all 750-1.1M range, teams gain contract slot flexbility, lose some payroll and take a chance on Ritchie. He wasn't truly awful as a Leaf, snake bitten and just didn't mesh with Keefe.

It could be a very soft return or a small sweetener like a C prospect or late pick.

I don't think it will cost a lot on top of Ritchie to move him unless the Leafs are wanting to get an asset from said team.

More likely they'll have to pay Arizona (or some other bottom feeder) a small price to take Ritchie's contract on for next season. They're not getting any kind of positive value asset in return.

And Arizona does need players on their roster next year (they only have 3 forwards under contract).

 

[Voodoo Child]

There aren’t enough guys in the league who can take lazy offensive zone penalties 16 seconds into a power play, I imagine he’s going to be in demand.

 

[bossram]

What's Toronto looking to add in reality (yes, we all know "cap space" but for what)?

And what's wrong with Ritchie? Honest evaluation is there an injury aspect to this, is this a "needs a new start" situation, is this mere downward, unexplained progression or...what's up with him?

He's just not good, and never was.

He's slow, takes penalties, and doesn't offer any PK or defensive utility. He can't play that type of Reaves/Carrier big hit and forecheck role because he's too slow to get to the play. He's got some decent hands/finish, so basically, the only effective utilization of him is in an offensive role with other, better offensive players. But if you have a good team, you likely already have better options to put in those spots than Ritchie.

Bad signing at the time, predictable result.

 

[Sparksrus3]

I would rather trade for Lionel Ritchie

 

[Ouroboros]

Ritchie and 4th for Victor Mete.

 

[Nothingbutglass]

I would rather keep him for the playoffs. He lacks the IQ, skating, and compete to play how the Leafs do with quick puck transitions, but I think in a series against a lesser skilled team who hits the Leafs into playing a cycle style game and slow them down, he would have a chance to shine.

I'm confident there is a GM in the league who will take a player in his prime years who was on pace for 30 goals last season in the offseason. It might not be a contender, but lots of rebuilding teams would value him for a low caphit for only 1 year.

All this for only $3.3 million next year. Crazy he made it through waivers.

 

[Marner4Life]

Yeah, that's the thing with Ritchie. He's got almost zero compete/intensity. He *can* throw them with some of the top guys, but 99 times out of 100 he can't be bothered to.

This applies to his physical game as well. He could be a real physical presence if he actually tried, but the majority of his shifts he just seems like a chubby kid out for a leisurely skate. If someone happens to be in his way, so be it, he'll throw a hit. Otherwise, just a bunch of cruise control.

But is it because he doesn’t have the intensity/ compete or is it that Keefe wouldn’t allow him to play that way? Keefe and Dubas still think that OHL hockey will win in the Stanley cup playoffs. After another first round exit this year hopefully we will get someone to build some intensity around our talent!

 

[stempniaksen]

The backdiving deal seems like a killer for the Sens, but I'd be open to the idea of Del Zotto + Mete for Ritchie. Gets rid of a guy who doesn't play for someone who presumably would. Mete is redundant in Ottawa and helps balance out the overall money a little bit. Might need a mid pick on either side to balance out as needed.

 

[SundherDome]

I'm waiting for Arizona to come busting in here like the Kool aid guy after hearing a series of "Oh no's".

 

[LeafGrief]

Somebody take him, please. Bruins fans were right about how much of a plug this guy is.

 

[HockeyVirus]

What's Toronto looking to add in reality (yes, we all know "cap space" but for what)?

And what's wrong with Ritchie? Honest evaluation is there an injury aspect to this, is this a "needs a new start" situation, is this mere downward, unexplained progression or...what's up with him?

Well, he's not one of the Leafs 12 best forwards and has been in the AHL with the Marlies for a few weeks. They have Kyle Clifford who they can bring up to be heavy on the 4th line if needed for a fraction of the caphit. So unless the Leafs are down 5-6 forwards, he won't see ice time here to make him worth while.

It was hoped he would be able to work with one of our big four lines, score 20 goals, throw some hits, and maybe fight to protect his linemates. He did hit and fight, but sadly most of the time the puck had long since passed the player he was hitting and he takes a penalty. The Leafs want is cap space gone to add to other areas.

They could use an upgrade on Holl on the Muzzin pairing. They could also use a winger, likely a LW, in the mold of Foligno or someone who can play a playoff style game and move around the middle 6 of the lineup as needed.

All this for only $3.3 million next year. Crazy he made it through waivers.

That's real money yes but not his caphit. Try again.

 

[HuGo Sham]

send him back to the bruins? lol

 

[Canadienna]

Ritchie+ for Chiarot @ 50%?

Just a matter of the plus but with all the rumours I think it starts with a 1st.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Just incase Montreal gets momentum and might win a game, they will need a dumbass to kill said momentum