Nick Ritchie in Toronto

[Notsince67]

He is following the same trajectory in the line up as vesey last year

He is mostly invisible.

He leads the team in hits and ev strength as a forward, he is second only to Marner in minimizing ga/60.
Not flashy as an offensive forward but he is only a support level player.

 

[VanW27]

Looks exactly like I expected.

Big body, good hands, goes to the front of the net and will probably end up with 15ish goals on the year because of that. Will throw some big hits and get in a couple scraps.

But also, slow, lazy and out of shape. Doesn't compete hard enough and is largely ineffective everywhere on ice except the front of the net. Impacts the game in no meaningful way most of the time.

 

[Twine Tickler]

Hate to say it, but this is kind of what I worried about with Nick when we signed him. This is a 25 year old, 6'3 240lbs man who was a former top 10 pick in the NHL entry draft who was effectively given away for nothing by 2 teams already.

It was a major red flag the day we signed him, and seems to be materializing now.

I will say I think he seems to have found a fit with Spezza and Simmonds on the 4th line. Sure that's not why we gave him 2.5AAV, but in general I've been quite happy with that 4th line, Including Nick. He seems to throw it around a bit more in that limited role, and seems to feed off of the energy of Simmer. Who I have to admit seems to really be playing hard this year from my perspective. That 4th line is a tough line to play against. The have 61% xGF and a 57% HDCF at 5v5 which I would consider outstanding for a 4th line.

That said I am also not 100% convinced of Bunting on that top line with Matts and Willy. I think he has more of a shot of making good on that opportunity than Nick for sure, but it just seems a bit out of synch right now. I am definitely willing to give it more of a look. It really reminds me of the early days of Hyman TBH. Wherein Bunts looks a bit out of his league still, and misses some pretty easy looks here and there. Nothing against Bunting, I just think his game is so cycle dependent, and less of a puck possession game. Just a little panic with the puck on his tape from time to time. I think when he realizes that by playing with Matts and Willy he has more space than he thinks, he will start to really gel. Overall I've loved Bunts game, but at this current moment that line seems to lack some chem IMO.

I'd keep him up there for another 7-10 games or so to see if he gets the timing down, and then I'd potentially try Kerf there if they aren't starting to produce.

But ya, as for Ritchie, I think he is what he is. Just a solid bottom 6 forward.

 

[Northernguy10]

He looks like he is overweight and out of shape.

This.

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

This felt like something Dubas doesn't normally do - spending decent money on a big body that isn't overly skilled. I sort of infer this is a playoff signing to help the Leafs resist pushback when teams get nasty. Ritchie may have been good to have in the Habs series

 

[Racer88]

2.5 Per year for a 4th liner………

 

[Blowfish]

This felt like something Dubas doesn't normally do - spending decent money on a big body that isn't overly skilled. I sort of infer this is a playoff signing to help the Leafs resist pushback when teams get nasty. Ritchie may have been good to have in the Habs series

Bruins were hoping for the same thing...he was benched in the playoffs. Zero impact.

 

[LeafChief]

Anyone that has ever watched Ritchie play prior to this season knows there is more to his game than what he has shown. He's looked invisible so far - no doubt.

He's not getting the offensive opportunities/bounces right now. He really needs to start imposing his will with his body until the chances come back. Right now he is net neutral out there. Not really doing anything at all.

 

[Tak7]

Watching him in person from ice level on Saturday, and boy... he's so underwhelming.
Let's hope it's just the case of new city and needing to settle in etc., because that doesn't look like the smartest contract right now.

 

[SHANNYPLAN]

I think he makes his way back to the top line come playoff time.

Ritchie - Matthews - Marner
Bunting - Tavares - Nylander
Kerfoot - - - Kampf - - - Kase
Engvall - Spezza - Simmonds

I see us trading for a top 9 winger. Don't think both of Kerfoot and Mikheyev finish the season in Toronto

 

[4thline]

A player of Nick Ritchie's skill set that plays with night in/ night out pace, fire, and effectiveness isn't available for 2.5 million dollars.

 

[2 Slick]

Anyone that has ever watched Ritchie play prior to this season knows there is more to his game than what he has shown. He's looked invisible so far - no doubt.

I've watched him many times, there is more to his game, but honestly, not that much more. 10-15 goal scorer if he plays at his ultimate best. Right now, he has mustered one point playing with some of the top offensive talent in the NHL today.

He's just not very good overall. Not worth 2.5 million, by far. Spezza makes league minimum, is 38 years old, played less minutes and is top five in Leafs in points.

 

[LeafChief]

I've watched him many times, there is more to his game, but honestly, not that much more. 10-15 goal scorer if he plays at his ultimate best. Right now, he has mustered one point playing with some of the top offensive talent in the NHL today.

He's just not very good overall. Not worth 2.5 million, by far. Spezza makes league minimum, is 38 years old, played less minutes and is top five in Leafs in points.

2.5 is definitely too much. With that said, the offensive talent he was playing with wasn't exactly lighting it up when he was up with them (and they still aren't).

 

[Tak7]

I think he makes his way back to the top line come playoff time.

Ritchie - Matthews - Marner
Bunting - Tavares - Nylander
Kerfoot - - - Kampf - - - Kase
Engvall - Spezza - Simmonds

I see us trading for a top 9 winger. Don't think both of Kerfoot and Mikheyev finish the season in Toronto

He's barely looked like a bottom 6 winger, yet you want to give him top line time?

Bunting and Kerfoot are the 2 that should be given those LW slots for the next little while - leave Ritchie on the 3rd or 4th line, and let them figure it out with some PP2 time as well. Have to earn ice time, not just be gifted it

 

[Knies iT]

Hate to say it, but this is kind of what I worried about with Nick when we signed him. This is a 25 year old, 6'3 240lbs man who was a former top 10 pick in the NHL entry draft who was effectively given away for nothing by 2 teams already.

It was a major red flag the day we signed him, and seems to be materializing now.

I will say I think he seems to have found a fit with Spezza and Simmonds on the 4th line. Sure that's not why we gave him 2.5AAV, but in general I've been quite happy with that 4th line, Including Nick. He seems to throw it around a bit more in that limited role, and seems to feed off of the energy of Simmer. Who I have to admit seems to really be playing hard this year from my perspective. That 4th line is a tough line to play against. The have 61% xGF and a 57% HDCF at 5v5 which I would consider outstanding for a 4th line.

That said I am also not 100% convinced of Bunting on that top line with Matts and Willy. I think he has more of a shot of making good on that opportunity than Nick for sure, but it just seems a bit out of synch right now. I am definitely willing to give it more of a look. It really reminds me of the early days of Hyman TBH. Wherein Bunts looks a bit out of his league still, and misses some pretty easy looks here and there. Nothing against Bunting, I just think his game is so cycle dependent, and less of a puck possession game. Just a little panic with the puck on his tape from time to time. I think when he realizes that by playing with Matts and Willy he has more space than he thinks, he will start to really gel. Overall I've loved Bunts game, but at this current moment that line seems to lack some chem IMO.

I'd keep him up there for another 7-10 games or so to see if he gets the timing down, and then I'd potentially try Kerf there if they aren't starting to produce.

But ya, as for Ritchie, I think he is what he is. Just a solid bottom 6 forward.

It's a very slow 4th line but they seem to gel. It actually seems to benefit all three players who play at the same pace and slow the game down. Ritchie would look worse with two fleet footed energy players.

If Ritchie can give a prime Matt Martin impact on the 4th line, with more scoring touch coming from PP2 and an ability to play up the lineup, then no complaints.

He'll be invisible most games but still find a way to end the year with 10-15 goals. People will complain until a rivalry game comes along and he tunes someone up. Conveniently, haven't noticed any liberties against Leaf stars this season so far.

 

[Twine Tickler]

It's a very slow 4th line but they seem to gel. It actually seems to benefit all three players who play at the same pace and slow the game down. Ritchie would look worse with two fleet footed energy players.

If Ritchie can give a prime Matt Martin impact on the 4th line, with more scoring touch coming from PP2 and an ability to play up the lineup, then no complaints.

He'll be invisible most games but still find a way to end the year with 10-15 goals. People will complain until a rivalry game comes along and he tunes someone up. Conveniently, haven't noticed any liberties against Leaf stars this season so far.

Totally agree. That line has been really good IMO. They seem to control play the majority of the time, and for whatever reason it feels like Simmonds and Ritchie elevate their physicality when playing with each other. Which is also a look that we have not seen for quite some time.

I don't expect that line to score a ton, but they have not been as much of an anchor as some of our most recent 4th lines. In fact they often times spend a lot of the time in the O-zone.

It sucks because the money Ritchie is being paid suggests management was hoping he'd fill a bigger role, it just didn't look like the right fit. He always seemed late in the zone, and a step behind. But like you said, with Spezza and Simmer they seem to play at the same pace, which allows him to be physically present in the play. It's not ideal to have his cap hit on the 4th line, but he has been a lot better in that capacity IMO

 

[Notsince67]

A player of Nick Ritchie's skill set that plays with night in/ night out pace, fire, and effectiveness isn't available for 2.5 million dollars.

I am aligned to this kind of thinking. If there is someone who can replace him for that money or less, go to it. I would however give him more than a few games to try to work it out.

 

[kevsh]

His relegation to the 4th line at least shows there is some accountability.

Imagine other bottom 6 forwards on this team watching Ritchie effectively do nothing for a half-dozen games after being gifted with a 1st line gig? And the only way he should move back up into the top 9 is if he starts playing like he wants to.

 

[Mickey Marner]

Pretty much came as expected. You sign him hoping that he can become the powerforward you've always dreamed of, while accepting that the chances of it are slim.

 

[Havoc]

He was as advertised in the pre-season. Everyone here was on the Ritchie bandwagon. Too early to cut bait. Some halloween voodoo went down for the first 9 games. Marner had 0 points, -4 and only 7 shots on goal in a 6 game stretch. Realistically what are people expecting his complimentary winger to do. Have to remember the plays run through Marner. Ritchie was basically relegated to doing cardio and then back to the bench. Objectively, it wasn't a line where many NHLers could succeed let alone Ritchie. I didn't see much opportunities for him to display his attributes. Even Keefe hinted that he feels the same way in one of his interviews:

"You should be asking as many questions about Matthews and Marner today as you should be Ritchie."

 

[fahad203]

He's essentially our version of Lawson Crouse. Except for Lawson he does hit and decent skater

 

[mapleleaf979]

Im not worried about Ritchie, he will end up with 35-45 points. Ask Dubas about the bleeping D core?

 

[Leaf Fans]

Bruins were hoping for the same thing...he was benched in the playoffs. Zero impact.

He played in all 11 games and got 4 points.

 

[Nylander88]

Totally agree. That line has been really good IMO. They seem to control play the majority of the time, and for whatever reason it feels like Simmonds and Ritchie elevate their physicality when playing with each other. Which is also a look that we have not seen for quite some time.

Even tough guys like knowing it won't be 1 v 5 when a scrum breaks out

 

[Nylander88]

He's essentially our version of Lawson Crouse. Except for Lawson he does hit and decent skater

While I can agree I'd take Crouse in a footrace with Ritchie, the hitting comment is an odd one. Ritchie has 21 hits this season, while Crouse has 15.