Nick Ritchie discussion - clears waivers

[bansheebeat]

All Ritchie really needs to do is stand in the crease and create space for Matthews and Marner. He hasn't had a chance to do that for a single game.

In the two games he's played, his line mates have 18 shots. He's probably creating more space than you realize and he'll get his share of garbage goals as the season goes on.

 

[Lightsol]

I get the feeling that NR will be the 3rd wheel on that line as well,

Seriously, Mess, you post things that make me wonder if you've ever watched hockey in your life...

OF COURSE Richie's the third wheel on that line. Unless you're bringing in somebody like Panarin to play on the left, whoever is in that spot is ALWAYS going to be the third wheel...

 

[Tairy Greene]

Your expectations were probably too high. He brings a physical presence and will hopefully get 10-15 goals. He makes 2 million, he's not going to replace Hyman

 

[Duffman955]

It's been 2 games

Let's talk after 82 games

 

[Havoc]

I have no opinion of Ritchie yet. He's a sidekick on that line. The two main guys have been invisible so far so it only makes sense the side kick has nothing to do.

edit- That's a lie. He gave Engvall the screen in game 1. Ritchie is in the positives for me.

 

[saltming]

They are still learning how to play with Ritchie. They will adapt as the season goes on.
They have not played with a net front presence so I give it 10 days before I say it's not working.

 

[Jojalu]

They are still learning how to play with Ritchie. They will adapt as the season goes on.
They have not played with a net front presence so I give it 10 days before I say it's not working.

Ritchie is doing what they paid him to do. Go to the front of the net and throw around his body. Had 7 hits tonight, could have had a point or 2 if JT or MM could find the net.

2 million is 20 points in today's NHL. I am confident he will get there

 

[Darcy Tucker]

Hey automatix what's wrong the name or the volume of posts you put into getting credibility? I'd wager a little of both.

 

[saltming]

Ritchie is doing what they paid him to do. Go to the front of the net and throw around his body. Had 7 hits tonight, could have had a point or 2 if JT or MM could find the net.

2 million is 20 points in today's NHL. I am confident he will get there

I think 20 points is very reasonable. I'm thinking higher myself

 

[saffronleaf]

Marner is the elephant

he's the mouse

 

[AcerComputer]

Wait for Matthews to come in. The lines aren't configured correctly until he comes back.

 

[ottomaddox]

Wait for Matthews to come in. The lines aren't configured correctly until he comes back.

It won't change much. Marner is throwing everything at the net and missing (see end of tonight's game) and Matthews is a shooting Center.

 

[Racer88]

It won't change much. Marner is throwing everything at the net and missing (see end of tonight's game) and Matthews is a shooting Center.

Marner simply cannot finish

 

[sparxx87]

Two games ...

Haven't been impressed, but let's face it $2,500,000. That isn't a top 6 salary.

Isn’t he the 6th highest paid forward, though?

The cap structure cuts the middle class so they’re forced to demand more from guys like Ritchie and Mikheyev that they likely aren’t capable of. Tough situation for those guys.

 

[Niagara Bill]

It is difficult to play with a linemate who you cannot count on. Marner never plays his position, Marner skates hard once in a while, Marner never goes to a corner, or front of the net. He is playing like a peewee player. ( Looks like Marner is taking advise from his girl friend ...don't get hurt!!,)
Marner has got to decide if he wants to be a $10.4M hockey player or society personality.
Then, Ritchie can be judged.

 

[DarkKnight]

Marner was already looking off Ritchie for another option last night, which is astounding for a pass first player.

Ritchie has been useless first three games. Tick tock.

 

[Mess]

Lets see how Ritchie looks beside Matthews, because beside Tavares its not really working nor any real chemistry.

 

[ULF_55]

Lets see how Ritchie looks beside Matthews, because beside Tavares its not really working nor any real chemistry.

Between marner and Tavares and an open net, the winner isn't Ritchie.

I wasn't on the guaranteed top 6 role for Ritchie when they signed him, but that was with Mikheyev healthy. Mikheyev can get there quicker than anyone to put pressure on, and disrupt the other team, Ritchie is unlikely to be the first to a loose puck.

At this point I have to wonder where I'd put Tavares and Ritchie if everyone was healthy.

 

[ULF_55]

Isn’t he the 6th highest paid forward, though?

The cap structure cuts the middle class so they’re forced to demand more from guys like Ritchie and Mikheyev that they likely aren’t capable of. Tough situation for those guys.

If you have Cap Space maybe you get a better middle 6 player.

Honestly, you don't need a top 3 * 6 player for the top line, if you get a good skating player who plays a role.
At this point Ritchie isn't playing a complementary role perhaps because his line has been ineffective offensively.
His line is more an extremely overpaid time placeholder.

 

[Oscar Peterson]

Ritchie had a terrible 2nd game, but imo he was pretty good last night. I like that when he decides to really throw a hit he can really use his weight. Let's at least give him like 10-15 games to see if the production starts to sort itself out, it's not a Jimmy Vesey situation where we're playing a guy who brings absolutely nothing and has no defining skills.

 

[ULF_55]

Ritchie had a terrible 2nd game, but imo he was pretty good last night. I like that when he decides to really throw a hit he can really use his weight. Let's at least give him like 10-15 games to see if the production starts to sort itself out, it's not a Jimmy Vesey situation where we're playing a guy who brings absolutely nothing and has no defining skills.

Exactly, and his line has done nothing to make it easy.

 

[Stephen]

Ritchie had a terrible 2nd game, but imo he was pretty good last night. I like that when he decides to really throw a hit he can really use his weight. Let's at least give him like 10-15 games to see if the production starts to sort itself out, it's not a Jimmy Vesey situation where we're playing a guy who brings absolutely nothing and has no defining skills.

Think Ritchie has always been a frustrating player, that's why he's not Tom Wilson and has exited Anaheim and Boston.

That said, it's only Game 3 plus pre-season and we've seen his tools. He's got a surprising scoring touch in close, big body that can wreak havoc, so we can plan around those strengths. Maybe Marner is too finesse a game to pair with him, but throw him on a crash and bang unit, funnel some point shots at his net front game, see where it goes.

 

[dubey]

2.5MM elephant in the room

I think we've got substantially bigger elephants

 

[ottomaddox]

Ritchie had a terrible 2nd game, but imo he was pretty good last night. I like that when he decides to really throw a hit he can really use his weight. Let's at least give him like 10-15 games to see if the production starts to sort itself out, it's not a Jimmy Vesey situation where we're playing a guy who brings absolutely nothing and has no defining skills.

I don't disagree with your opinion, but Holy God! We are lowering the bar to compare him to Vesey? I know it's early, but we need more from him. Perhaps it's unrealistic, but Vesey is a struggling NHLer/waiver fodder. For the sake of the team and jobs being on the line I just can't see Ritchie helping TOR succeed.

 

[DarkKnight]

It’s only three games. Also true, he’s been given a terrific opportunity and he’s showing absolutely zero urgency to show he can fill the role. That’s what I don’t like, where’s the fire with this guy and that’s always been his Achilles.