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Nick Ritchie discussion - clears waivers

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Stinger8 said:
When he does get the opportunity to hit someone, he leaves a mark. Dude is big and strong. Wish he had a better motor, he just looks disinterested. No fire no emotion.
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I think it's clear on his face, and how his teammates pull for him, that he cares to be a Leaf. Honestly I just think he needs to work really hard to get down to about 215-220lbs instead of the 236 he's listed at. If he could even up his skating to a Simmonds/Bunting level, he would be very dangerous imo with his heavy style of play
 
WayneTrain said:
12 hits in the last two games. You can only hit the puck carrier without getting a penalty. He's gotta be someone near the play, no?lol
Is he a fast skater? God no
Has he lived up to expectations? Not even close.
Does he even deserve to be in the lineup? Likely not .
But he's this teams hits leader and that counts for something. We get bullied games 1 & 2 of the playoffs and everyone who's bashing him will be screaming to get him into the lineup.
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We also haven't faced MTL, BOS, FLA, TB much at all to start this season. A lot of the heated divisional games are down the stretch and the Atlantic is tough, hard hockey.

His physical play will be of value in the playoffs, but his overall game will probably dip even further. He had a career year with Boston but looked noticeably worse in the playoffs when the pace picks up even more.

Need to accept the fact that he's overpaid and use him strictly as a Matt Martin piece on the 4th line. He won't live up to the contract, but he'll lead the team in hits, police the ice and probably bang home a few timely goals as a PP2 net front guy in the playoffs when this team struggles with capitalizing on second chance rebounds.
 
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griffon1 said:
He looks out of shape. Facial fat is usually a good indicator of someone carrying too much body fat. Hard to fix during the season if you'replaying, it's an off season thing you really have to work on.
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I really don't understand how someone retains that much fat when you're training so much.
 
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Nick was always a big kid even as a kid .. but he needs to do like Nick Paul did .. lose 30 lbs and it will increase his speed by osmosis .. da game is too fast for him .. his strength will not change at all .. I think that is plan he will ride on taxi squad until NHL takes away that COVID advantage and play in minors while on a weight loss program .. he comes back for playoffs if we play Florida or Boston or Washington when we will need him .. if it is Tampa he won't play .. simple program folks
 
Word is he is available (along with Dermott) according to David Pagnotta. Not sure I could see many takers unless there was a team that needs to add some cap to spend to the floor.

I still don't mind the move; if it worked out there was a lot of upside but others (both new and old) have made it so he is not required, and for general depth Clifford is cheaper and on an expiring deal... not that I think either add anything to the roster when they are in it.
 
Nick Ritchie wrestles with Leafs’ minor league role | Toronto Sun

The winger did not meet with reporters Monday morning after a request following Marlies’ practice as he prepares for his first AHL game in six years on Wednesday. He cleared NHL waivers five weeks ago, was able to stay around as part of the Leafs’ taxi squad, but as the league dissolved each team’s reserve squads at the all-star break when COVID-19 cases ebbed, Ritchie officially went to the minors.

He hasn’t been a farmhand since his rookie season in 2015-16 with Anaheim, and either that made him uncomfortable with talking or he, too, heard the weekend report by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman of some “traction” to try to move his two-year, $5-million US contract to create cap space. Ritchie’s low output of two goals and nine points in 33 games, eventually becoming a healthy scratch, led the Leafs to reluctantly demote him, while the cumbersome second year of the deal might keep him in limbo. A buyout would only partially solve the matter for Toronto, leaving it with $300,000 in dead money next year, when its already tight to the cap.

Right now, getting the 26-year-old Orangeville native back into some game action is vital. He is working on a line with Marlies’ leading scorer Brett Seney at centre and Joey Anderson.

“His mindset coming here has been awesome and he’s been working hard,” coach Greg Moore said. “It’ll be a big game Wednesday (home to Utica) for our group in general, but for him to insert himself and get some reps. Our team and the Leafs are pretty similar in game play, so it shouldn’t be much of an adjustment for him. Obviously, he brings a ton of experience, he has ability to make plays and brings a lot of skill.”

Seney is impressed with the former Duck and Bruin, who has used both braun and scoring touch to get as many as 31 points in his best

“He’s a great talent who’ll help our team a lot,” Seney said. “I know he’s excited to get in some games.”
 
hockeywiz542 said:
Nick Ritchie wrestles with Leafs’ minor league role | Toronto Sun

The winger did not meet with reporters Monday morning after a request following Marlies’ practice as he prepares for his first AHL game in six years on Wednesday. He cleared NHL waivers five weeks ago, was able to stay around as part of the Leafs’ taxi squad, but as the league dissolved each team’s reserve squads at the all-star break when COVID-19 cases ebbed, Ritchie officially went to the minors.

He hasn’t been a farmhand since his rookie season in 2015-16 with Anaheim, and either that made him uncomfortable with talking or he, too, heard the weekend report by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman of some “traction” to try to move his two-year, $5-million US contract to create cap space. Ritchie’s low output of two goals and nine points in 33 games, eventually becoming a healthy scratch, led the Leafs to reluctantly demote him, while the cumbersome second year of the deal might keep him in limbo. A buyout would only partially solve the matter for Toronto, leaving it with $300,000 in dead money next year, when its already tight to the cap.

Right now, getting the 26-year-old Orangeville native back into some game action is vital. He is working on a line with Marlies’ leading scorer Brett Seney at centre and Joey Anderson.

“His mindset coming here has been awesome and he’s been working hard,” coach Greg Moore said. “It’ll be a big game Wednesday (home to Utica) for our group in general, but for him to insert himself and get some reps. Our team and the Leafs are pretty similar in game play, so it shouldn’t be much of an adjustment for him. Obviously, he brings a ton of experience, he has ability to make plays and brings a lot of skill.”

Seney is impressed with the former Duck and Bruin, who has used both braun and scoring touch to get as many as 31 points in his best

“He’s a great talent who’ll help our team a lot,” Seney said. “I know he’s excited to get in some games.”
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I hope that he can turn his game around and become an asset to the Leafs. Sometimes rock bottom motivates athletes.
I guess we will find out.
 
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CelticDruid said:
I hope that he can turn his game around and become an asset to the Leafs. Sometimes rock bottom motivates athletes.
I guess we will find out.
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The guy should have had value here especially after his output last year.

Few in pro sports can get by without effort and commitment. Even those who do aren't always rewarded

Like so many before him, it's now in his hands.
 
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With our luck this Marlies stint will unlock the real Ritchie (if exists) and he starts playing like first half Bruins on his new team.
 
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