Confirmed with Link: Nick Ritchie to Toronto (2x2.5M AAV)

[Leafsfan74]

Wish Ritchie would lose about 15-18lbs and focus exclusively on his skating and edge work. If Ritchie leaned out and added a step (similar approach to Matthews last off season) he could probably make something of himself as a top 6 forward. Then, maybe, when he's due his next contract at age 27, it might be a 4+ million dollar deal, with term, rather than the bridge type deal he was forced to accept this time around.

Basically what I just stated. Lose 12-15 pounds and maintain your strength, work exclusively on your skating. It's not fun, but it's not difficult and it could mean a world of difference in your next contract.

Matthews is the right example. I could estimate that Matthews can score 5-7 goals a year on the rush in a full season that he might not have scored two years earlier. All because his speed and belief in his speed allows him the option he might not have taken.

That O.T goal against the Canucks last year was elite.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Bertuzzi just signed for two years @ 4.75M per in Detroit. If anyone wants to know why the Leafs weren't in on him.

He'd be a good fit on any team, that's a big pricetag, though he plays a hard game and puts up points so it's not unreasonable.

Contract is fine, as long as his back holds up. Also, the perfect contract for Yzerman to move at the deadline for really nice assets, as long as Bertuzzi is playing well. Not only will almost all the contenders be able to fit it under the cap at that time of the year, but with only one more year of the contract following this year, GM's won't be saddled with it long term, but will also get another year of control if they give up a premium asset, or two, in return. Best of both worlds. Good job by Yzerman.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Think we just need soft baby passes Marner off the top unit… literally the whole league knows he’s going to fake a shot and pass to Matthews LOL it’s soooooo embarrassing

He definitely needs to shoot more or at least try something other than the cross seam to Matthews. No way he is off the top PP though

 

[Stephen]

I think he will embrace the Hyman role because outside of Toronto it's not exactly a big deal to go in the corners and battle for a puck. We started thinking that Hyman was unique league wide because he was the only player that played that way here. There are lots of players that do what Hyman did...we just preferred the upside of a Vessey because he scored at a 20G+ pace a few years ago over the lower ceiling mucker types. That was a mistake they are actively trying to fix.

I can't stress enough that having a gritty player on every single line will be a huge bonus for us. Anytime there is a scrum there will be at least 1 guy out there who isn't afraid to push back. That is in contrast to before where we would have to wait for Simmonds to hit the ice 4 shifts later to answer a face washing of AM or MM.

I completely agree on the Hyman hype. Roll some tape on classic Western Conference games between the likes of San Jose, Anaheim, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Vegas, etc. I'm not sure that Hyman's work ethic really is going to stand out beyond that of a typically hard working blue collar forward with size. Edmonton really bought in to the Canadian Division hype.

 

[kb]

In case you weren't aware Kase missed all of last season (except the first 3 games of the year) as he spent the remaining 53 games and all playoff games on LTIR, recovering from his 5th concussion.

He attempted a Kucherov to return for the playoffs, but took just a couple shifts in a game, had another setback in his recovery and then couldn't even skate and was shutdown again for the year.



The reports out of Boston are not promising that this guy will be playing anytime soon and there was talk of him considering retiring for health reasons.

If he goes on LTIR with the Leafs they are able to replace his salary at par with a healthy player so it will not hurt the Leafs..

No, this is not an LTIR move. LTIR is bad.

Stop.

 

[LaPlante94]

Idk if something like this was posted or not but didn't want to scroll through 15 pages to see. I'd say that's a nice trade off considering we badly needed depth scoring in case our top line decides to no show again when it comes to scoring.

 

[TheScandal89]

He definitely needs to shoot more or at least try something other than the cross seam to Matthews. No way he is off the top PP though

Yeah no chance but maybe rework the unit for Nylander to play the point with his more dangerous shot. Teams gotta respect that he can just walk in and roof it. Unless Marner improves his strength and shot power significantly then hes better working on the lower half of the zone of the pp where he could be more of a shooting threat. Because he does have a pretty accurate shot its just not remotely heavy.

 

[Macallan18]

It's scientifically impossible for all of leaf land to be happy at once.

Win a cup and then test that hypothesis

 

[conFABulator]

Bunting, Ritchie, and Kampf could very well have the same contribution. What makes them better than Thornton, Foligno, and Vesey?

Is it because they are new and wear blue and white?

I think we should be comparing the roster we start this season with, with the one we started last season with (we don't know who the TDL acquisitions and rentals will be, so let's not remember the season as us having had Foligno all year for example). Here is who is out from last year's opening night (and who replaces them)

Hyman (Ritchie as a top 6 winger)
Thornton (Kerfoot, as a top 6 winger)
Vesey (Bunting)
Kerfoot (Kase, as defensive centre)
Barabanov (Engvall)
Bogosian (Sandin)
Andersen (Mrazek)​

We are younger, bigger, nastier, more purpose-built (people in the right roles), and we have depth (Kase, Semyonov, Robertson, Anderson, Amadio, Seney, Gogolev, Liljegren, UFA depth d-man still to be signed?). There is an argument to be made we are better, and this doesn't account for our young stars taking another step forward.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Basically what I just stated. Lose 12-15 pounds and maintain your strength, work exclusively on your skating. It's not fun, but it's not difficult and it could mean a world of difference in your next contract.

Matthews is the right example. I could estimate that Matthews can score 5-7 goals a year on the rush in a full season that he might not have scored two years earlier. All because his speed and belief in his speed allows him the option he might not have taken.

That O.T goal against the Canucks last year was elite.

I genuinely believe that the conditioning / weight loss / skating work Matthews did coming into this season, was the difference in him winning the Rocket. I also think it could easily be the difference between Ritchie spending his whole career as a decent bottom-6 guy, and developing into a high end middle-6 guy. He might just need someone to push him.

"Nick, you're under contract and will get paid, either way, but here is the deal. Either lose 10lbs and work your ass off in the skating department before the start of the season, and continue to lean out (through) diet until Christmas, or we'll bury your ass on the 4th line and you can play 7 minutes per night. You're way too talented not to be in optimum shape, improved as a skater and thriving in our top 6. Your choice. We'll have you work with our S&D guys and you'll have a nutritionist at your disposal 24/7. The rest is on you."

 

[Communal Blood]

Welcome to Toronto, boys. Hope to see some Habs get their asses kicked.

 

[Hclass47]

Incoming another Soo Greyhound

 

[Sypher04]

I think he will embrace the Hyman role because outside of Toronto it's not exactly a big deal to go in the corners and battle for a puck. We started thinking that Hyman was unique league wide because he was the only player that played that way here. There are lots of players that do what Hyman did...we just preferred the upside of a Vessey because he scored at a 20G+ pace a few years ago over the lower ceiling mucker types. That was a mistake they are actively trying to fix.

I can't stress enough that having a gritty player on every single line will be a huge bonus for us. Anytime there is a scrum there will be at least 1 guy out there who isn't afraid to push back. That is in contrast to before where we would have to wait for Simmonds to hit the ice 4 shifts later to answer a face washing of AM or MM.

I agree with the overall premise, but I still utterly reject that Hyman was the one guy doing this for us. That's simply not true.

 

[aingefan]

With Kase's concussion history, probably no one. They will need the depth. They will just demote Robertson.

Yeah.
I count 17 forwards in competition, and maybe 10 that won’t move.
There’s a handful that could.
Will be interesting to see what’s happens next.

 

[Iapyi]

I wanted us to take him over Nylander in 2014. While I now realize we made the right decision at the time I also like the transaction. We need him to play with sandpaper grit.

 

[ToneDog]

i'll admit i despise Hyman (the player) and i would take any of those players over Hyman in the top 6, as i expect them to try to feed the skill players and not pretend that they are a skill player

If you hated Hyman playing with 16 and 34, I'm thinking you are going to hate who ever plays with them this year even more.

 

[Puckstuff]

There’s no doubt Ritchie is better at finding lanes, better at scoring and just as physically gifted or more as Folingo. The con here is this guy is inconsistent and some will even say lazy and will take games off. So a lazy Ritchie vs a hardworking Folingo.

 

[kb]

If you hated Hyman playing with 16 and 34, I'm thinking you are going to hate who ever plays with them this year even more.

I'll reserve judgement until I see the lines play together.

Sometimes players just click.

 

[Mess]

Kase is a long shot but worth a gamble. Worst comes to worst I guess you could revisit a Galchenyuk type guy.

With Kase who is only 25 years old, I wouldn't be surprised if the Leafs "red shirt him" a USA football term (sit out/delay return) and place him on LTIR at the beginning of the year with the intention he sits out the entire regular season recovering from his latest concussion.

The Leafs will replace him on the active roster and re-use his cap space $1.25 mil on a healthy player, essentially pushing his cap hit above the hard cap ceiling of $81.5 mil. Where Galchenyuk potential return might be a good guess, or someone like that in that similar price range. (still TBD)

Some of the potential benefits here playing the long game in his recovery process is that he is a very talented player when healthy, so at the end of this season Kase is still an RFA when this contract ends. so the Leafs can qualify him and keep his rights for the 2022-2023 season @ same level. This is all about getting him healthy and not rushing the process as head injuries are tricky and risky and return dates unpredictable.

Best case scenario, , if he magically starts feeling better, perhaps they attempt a Kucherov, and can activate him for the 2022 playoffs as if he was a TD addition but at no cost but coming off LTIR to build up the Leafs playoff roster when the cap is no longer an issue. Kase is a perfect player to attempt this replication tactic on what TB used this past year to great success and cap manipulation.

This is my best guess at present what the Leafs might be thinking here with his signing taking into account his current injury status, and potential injection into the Leafs line-up down the road when he is back to 100%.

PS. There is no risk here to the Leafs by his signing other than money $$, as I would be surprised if insurance will cover this contract considering he just missed 65 games to injury and counting and his long injury history of 5 documented concussions. So Leafs might be on the hook for the full uninsured contract salary, but who cares its not our money but MLSE.

 

[fahad203]

Bunting did crack Arizona's lineup...

Bunting now is the age Hyman was when he cracked the Leafs roster full time.

Hyman spent 4 years in college because he wanted to finish Uni first

He spent 1 year in the minors.

One is not like the other

 

[TheGroceryStick]

I have a sneaky optimism that Ritchie's going to come into camp with a bur under his saddle and in great shape.
This is really the first time he's been questioned, and believe our staff will really put him through the ringer to ensure he's ready.

Granted he knew Boston licks there chops for tough play - I seriously think this can (and hopefully will) be a turning point in his young career.

Lot of openings, he knows we applaud character, toughness and work ethic. Dig the net, play in the dirty areas and show some bite - you'll fit it fine.

 

[Dave92]

I like it' Now Dubas' needs to address Rielly's future and make sure he gets a return if it's not with the Leafs.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Great deal for Toronto. I think he'll be every bit as good as Hyman.

I'm not expecting him to have the same engine as Hyman, but I am expecting him to be better offensively considering he'll be playing with the best linemates he's ever had.

 

[Guy Boucher]

Ritchie is not that great. His speed isn't great, which frustrates people because you want him forechecking and throwing his body around but he just doesn't get there in time. He's a better version of Jimmy Vesey (sorry if this triggers anyone lol).

But I will say this: He will be much more useful in the playoffs. We all know the refs let defensemen clutch/grab/slash/crosscheck in the playoffs and you need some big bodies to fight through that. I thought Ritchie was pretty good for Boston in the playoffs and Toronto is gonna need that.

 

[darrylsittler27]

I have a hard time believing Dubas' is done. For the most part this is changing background players. All these guys have question marks. Kase is injury prone, Richie is lazy. Mendell is he NHl ready? Is Mrazek better than Freddy? One has to think they need more.