Nick Ritchie discussion - clears waivers

[DarkKnight]

I'll wait until the line actually plays it's first few games together.

Sure, it’s a small sample size, but he’s fair game too. It’s always interesting to watch the new guys.

 

[danny90]

Leafs need to fill a role that Hyman didn’t fill which is to create chances in tight checking games and bang home rebounds, he hasn’t tried a wrap around into the goalies pads or to hold onto the puck for too long so I think he’ll be successful. Will get significantly better as the season progresses

 

[A1LeafNation]

Oh my gawd, please don’t critique our new first line winger, that’s so wrong.

Please.

I love Bunting.

 

[ottomaddox]

Not completely invisible, but not great tonight. He's got to wake up and realize he's on the top line with Matthews and Marner.

 

[johnnybbadd]

He will be off the top line in less than a month. Just put Spezza there. He’s skating great and the Leafs had no problem playing an ancient Marleau on the 1st line a few years ago and Spezza is actually still good.

 

[shaner8989]

Hes really bad. Period.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

Is this guy playing tonight? No joke, haven't noticed. I didn't know a thing about Ritchie, Bunting, Kampf or Kase coming into the season and it seems pretty clear to me we picked up two great low budget guys (Bunting and Kampf) and two placeholders.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

He will be off the top line in less than a month. Just put Spezza there. He’s skating great and the Leafs had no problem playing an ancient Marleau on the 1st line a few years ago and Spezza is actually still good.

Nylander Matthews Spezza
Bunting Tavares Marner
Kerfoot Kampf Kase
Ritchie Semyonov Mikheyev

Having Spezza and Nylander with Auston gives him 2 guys that can set him up but all three are great shooters. Spezza has always needed to shoot more. That 2nd line gives Marner 2 guys that he can setup and have good touches around the net. Marner was also good with JT 2 years ago.

 

[johnnybbadd]

That is a much better line up and I’m also fine with Spezza, Matthews, Marner because Nylander can compliment the styles of Bunting and Tavares better than Marner IMO but I’m fine either way.

 

[Dave92]

Ritchie is dog ****

 

[BodaciousBeefBazooka]

Ritchie was beloved here just only a few years back and praised. Never trust the fans on this forum who they want on the team 100% they are useless.

 

[Lemontree]

He isn’t the biggest issue with the top line. If Marner was so damn magic with the puck why can’t he create a single scoring chance for Ritchie? Once he muffs a wide open tap in like Hyman did every other game you can crap on him than.

 

[Anthrax442]

Im less concerned about a 2 mil dollar man not doing his job as much as a 10.6 mil dollar player playing like a 4th liner.

 

[stickty111]

He is not a good player. He should be battling on the 4th line.

 

[IPS]

He is not a good player. He should be battling on the 4th line.

Low price tag and he ain't even coming close to living up to it.

He hasn't earned himself many more looks in the top-6.

 

[Guided by Veseys]

I like him. He is methodical and tonight he was really looking to pass it off to
Matthews and Marner and he did a pretty good job. He’s trying to develop chemistry on that line and it seemed like a decent start.

 

[Havoc]

To be fair to Ritchie they're not putting pucks on net for tips or screens or redirects. A lot of outside looks. Top line will need to stay versatile and the points will come in waves soon. Some nice passing plays. Shots from the slot. Screens. Low shot to the pad for Ritchie to crash etc. etc. etc.

None of this has happened yet.

 

[m1ker]

Honestly as long as Ritchie brings it in the playoffs, that’s all i care about.

 

[johnnybbadd]

He isn’t the biggest issue with the top line. If Marner was so damn magic with the puck why can’t he create a single scoring chance for Ritchie? Once he muffs a wide open tap in like Hyman did every other game you can crap on him than.

At least Hyman was able to get himself in position to score. Ritchie being there is making everyone key on Matthews because Marner can’t shoot and Ritchie can’t skate or get open for shooting opportunities.

 

[hockeynorth]

Ritchie isn’t even bad, he’s exactly what he’s advertised as:

3rd line big body who might bang some in in front of the net, can play 2nd PP unit, hard to get off pucks, slow, disengaged at times.

He’s literally your stereotypical 3rd liner and right now I’d run him with Nylander but Bunting is working really well there.

Tavares hasn’t been great.

 

[thinkblue]

To be fair to Ritchie they're not putting pucks on net for tips or screens or redirects. A lot of outside looks. Top line will need to stay versatile and the points will come in waves soon. Some nice passing plays. Shots from the slot. Screens. Low shot to the pad for Ritchie to crash etc. etc. etc.

None of this has happened yet.

Yup..and reminder to all where he got most of his goals/points last year. Not expecting more than this, but points should come if he's playing with M&M or Nylander. (First 1:30 is just lol.)

 

[CDJ]

Honestly as long as Ritchie brings it in the playoffs, that’s all i care about.

historically that unfortunately has not been what happens, he has a hard time keeping up with the increased pace in the playoffs and ends up being behind the play 90% of the time

New laundry though, sometimes that does spark change.

@hockeynorth has a spot on assessment imo

 

[janesy12]

Seems like he's always behind the play. It's amazing that Matthews had so many chances last night on a line by himself.
Ritchie hasn't been good sure, but Marner has been awful for quite an extended period.
Hasn't scored a PP goal since January of 2020 despite getting top PP minutes. $10.9 million a year.

 

[dubplatepressure]

Seems like he's always behind the play. It's amazing that Matthews had so many chances last night on a line by himself.
Ritchie hasn't been good sure, but Marner has been awful for quite an extended period.
Hasn't scored a PP goal since January of 2020 despite getting top PP minutes. $10.9 million a year.

He's really developing a reputation of being all flash and no fury. Too cute, and I wasn't particularly fond of his suckiness around getting physically handled while on the PP in front of the net last night. Suck that shit up and deal with it - you are an NHL player for god's sake. Anyway.

 

[The Podium]

Didn’t want Ritchie, was surprised how many people were excited when he signed.

Just doesn’t have the IQ to keep up with Matthews and Marner, and doesn’t have Hymans work ethic to make up for that.

I’d go:
Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Kerfoot - Tavares - Nylander
Ritchie - Kampf - Kase