Nick Ritchie in Toronto

[TheScandal89]

Ritchie is where lines go to die, everywhere he moves, so does effectiveness.

Yeah I was pretty excited to get him hoping he could be a poor mans Lucic, but I meant the Lucic from 10 years ago, not now

Hopefully he can turn it around but so far the bad things other fan bases have said about his play were pretty much true.

 

[Stephen]

Worst case he can be our (better and younger) Martin or Clifford. The 4th line makes less than $4 million and has been great.

Best case he gets his shit together and puts up 15 goals in the top 9

Yeah, he's a sort of big body Clifford who can follow Simmonds on the heavy forecheck at a minimum but he's not taking advantage of his current opportunity, having fallen in the depth chart the first month of the season.

That said, Toronto's probably coming out ahead on the de facto Foligno for Kase and Ritchie trade. Foligno seems like a real legend in the room, but if he has to stay in the room, he may as well be on the Bruins coaching staff.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

 

[JT AM da real deal]

 

[Dragao6]

Remember don cherry and him criticizing leafs for not taking Ritchie over nylander

 

[bentharbs]

Nick Ritchie is not good.

 

[BodaciousBeefBazooka]

I loved his peewee looking backhand shot he made right in the goalies crest. It was adorable.

 

[Wendelstache]

Dude skates like he's playing in NES Hockey.
Makes David Clarkson look like Pavel Bure.

 

[Holls Blackmail]

Why didn't he tune up Serg?

 

[Namikaze Minato]

Had a good game today, hope he can build on that and look like a somewhat serviceable player.

 

[Griffin76]

Why didn't he tune up Serg?

I would guess it's because they were down by a goal. Ritchie would start something, Sergachev would turtle. Ritchie would get either an instigator, aggressor (if that's an actual thing) or the only fighting major.

 

[kb]

Why didn't he tune up Serg?

It's a one goal game and a guaranteed loss if he does. Take the number, file it away.

People need to stop thinking it's the players. It's the organizational mandate.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Had a good game today, hope he can build on that and look like a somewhat serviceable player.

He's got the tools. He just has to have the drive on a consistent basis.

 

[Holls Blackmail]

It's a one goal game and a guaranteed loss if he does. Take the number, file it away.

People need to stop thinking it's the players. It's the organizational mandate.

Not when it's a blatant headshot, my man. That's literally what he's there for - to prevent that.

 

[kb]

Not when it's a blatant headshot, my man. That's literally what he's there for - to prevent that.

No one can prevent hits though. They can only answer for it.

And during a one goal winnable game is never the time, ever.

 

[Holls Blackmail]

No one can prevent hits though. They can only answer for it.

And during a one goal winnable game is never the time, ever.

You do prevent them by making an example out of someone who commits one.

 

[Leafs87]

Ritchie was okay tonight. People also need to remember he makes 2.5 which is what Martin used to make here, which is the price for a player of his ilk. His points and play so far have been meh, but his pre season was strong. I still think he has a chance to make people eat their words.

Also let’s not let the mismanagement of the cap make the fan base criticize a 2.5 mill player like he was supposed to come in and become a top 6 winger

 

[ULF_55]

Thought he contributed tonight.

Nothing great but baby steps.

 

[wingman75]

Thought he contributed tonight.

Nothing great but baby steps.

Agreed. I mean based on what we have seen, if he can do that every night I guess that is the top of the barrel for him? I don't see what else he could do for this team... like guy, just don't get in the way. Cannot imagine Spezz and Wayne are loving that experience.

Maybe he gets "hot" and the Sabres come calling for some salary

 

[123offtheglass]

Ritchie is definitely a gamble, oddly he looks like he has some chemistry with Simmonds which I did not expect.

One thing to remember is this is the beginning of a season on a brand new team for him, also hasn't been the most consistent player in his career. He has his flaws but what they're paying for is his upside & physical presence that we've hardly seen any of yet. Definitely has underperformed (for the most part, he has sucked) but I'd rather that happen now than later.

I'm just hoping that he finds some chemistry & gets going on the 4th line, pots some on the powerplay, plays physical & sticks up for guys when needed, & when he's on his game he's available to the top 6 if they're looking for something different. I'm hopeful he'll have his moments, even if we wished it were more often.

 

[Folignos Helmet]

he should be looking at guys like Pat Maroon, Zach Kassian, etc to see where he can settle on a role for himself.
I think he still fancies himself a high draft pick that has more offensive upside. but maybe should just accept his fate as a 3rd/4th liner who hits, fights and score maybe 10 a year. maybe fills in up the line up like Kassian does on occasion.
that would be fine, not 2.5 million fine, but ok.
he seems a little lost as to what his role in the league is.

 

[horner]

Why didn't he tune up Serg?

There will be another time to look after that issue . At least the whole line stud up and got involved with the TB players. Right now its more important that we get our game together.

 

[ACC1224]

Why didn't he tune up Serg?

Someone should have, inexcusable

 

[DraftSchmaft]

Someone should have, inexcusable

Still more games left to play. We'll see them again Judge later.

Mission was still to win. Abandoning that would be inexcusable.

Could be worse. No answer + loss

 

[ACC1224]

Still more games left to play. We'll see them again Judge later.

Mission was still to win. Abandoning that would be inexcusable.

Could be worse. No answer + loss

No reason to let it wait. Things like that need to be dealt with and there is no reason why that would prevent them from winning.