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

[Thervguy]

I always liked him when he was the top dog for the Peterborough Pete's in the OHL.
As a Oshawa Generals fan I loved how the Generals drove him nuts, and put him off his game so much he would start to take dumb penalties. But saying this as a Leafs fan I look forward to seeing what the big talent player can do for the Leafs.

 

[Superstar]

Hyman's production per 60 at 5v5 was comparable to someone like Landeskog who had comparable linemates to Hyman. I think people are sleeping a bit on how effective Hyman was at 5v5. Not that I'd be comfortable giving him the contract he got, but not anyone can be slotted in there and produce like Hyman while providing similar intangibles.

I think some of fallacy going around is you could insert any decent guy into the top line and they'll be as effective and produce like Hyman because they are playing with top tier players...that's not true at all, some players just cannot play on the top line...you would have to compete against the other teams' top line players and top pairing dmen.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Not that I dont hope it works put for you, but I think Hyman is a decent bit more skilled

Hyman did improve his touch in front over the years. Ritchie might score 20 now. Plus the intangibles he adds in protecting our stars. Hyman wasn’t ever protection. So thats a plus Ritchie. This will be the best players he’s ever had as linemates. Should be a interesting watch. You know he is thinking a big pay day in two years after playing with our top players. He will do the same as Hyman and get the big deal after this stint with us

 

[HyperX]

Hyman did improve his touch in front over the years. Ritchie might score 20 now. Plus the intangibles he adds in protecting our stars

Its unfortunate Kadri long term didnt work out, because him Ritchie and Mikhayev would be a nice third line

 

[KMNRB]

I am aware, but he was close to returning in the playoffs and that is months before the start of next season. It is a gamble signing him for sure, and a 6th concussion and year on the LTIR obviously isnt out of the question, but he was not signed without a thorough medical exam and with the intention he will be LTIR'd.

If he goes on LTIR the leafs accrue 0 cap space and cannot add anyone at the TDL without an equal dollar for dollar swap. So yet it will most definitely hurt the Leafs.

You really need to study LTIR rules a bit.

At his salary, if Kase doesn't work out in any way (either injured or just couldn't get back to his pre-concussion form), we can just put him on waiver and put him in minor and have 125,000 counted against the cap. Then we can still accrue the cap space.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Hyman's production per 60 at 5v5 was comparable to someone like Landeskog who had comparable linemates to Hyman. I think people are sleeping a bit on how effective Hyman was at 5v5. Not that I'd be comfortable giving him the contract he got, but not anyone can be slotted in there and produce like Hyman while providing similar intangibles.

This. I thought this fan base was almost 100% in agreement that Hyman improved a lot from year to year and the last few years, he's been just fantastic for us. I have to say I'm a bit surprised at how many people now seem to think that he will easily be replaced.

 

[93LEAFS]

This. I thought this fan base was almost 100% in agreement that Hyman improved a lot from year to year and the last few years, he's been just fantastic for us. I have to say I'm a bit surprised at how many people now seem to think that he will easily be replaced.

It's like they forget the years of clamoring for Johnson or Kapanen to play with them and Hyman actually being the best at optimizing the stars.

 

[KMNRB]

I watched Ritchie a lot last year (as I picked him up on my fantasy team for his hot streak). He was crazily good at tipping the shots on the powerplay, and can make some good plays in front of the net as well. He got most of his goals when the Bruins were without pastrnak on the powerplay, and most pp goals went through him. I think that's his biggest asset to us. Marner/Rielly can't shoot rockets but their shots are tippable. Early in the season when the powerplay was going well, Simmonds scored a lot in front of the net that way (until he got hurt).

At even strength, Ritchie looks lumbering and quite slow. He can still make good plays and have a good shot, but doesn't look that engaged, and doesn't forecheck with much intensity (unlike Hyman in every sense). Maybe that feeling of disengagement has to do with his often emotionless face.

His hit totals dropped a lot too, perhaps due to the increasing speed in the NHL and his foot speed hasn't caught up. Maybe the Leafs coaching staffs can help him improve his skating.

Rather than seeing him as a Hyman replacement, I'd see him as a better and healthier (and younger) version of what Simmonds could provide. Ritchie/Simmonds/Bunting will all run hot and cold, and we can just move whoever is hot (or healthy) up the line-up.

 

[GoLeafsGo96]

They downgraded from Hyman that is obvious. They're hoping that as a whole the guys they signed are better than the Thornton/Engvalls to make up the difference.

Problem with Hyman is age and injury history. He will be great in EDM for the next 2-3 years - then I expect his contract will be bad.

They never were gonna be able to replace Hyman at his old cap hit with one guy. While true, it's still good that they didn't sign him to the contract he ultimately got.

 

[ULF_55]

This. I thought this fan base was almost 100% in agreement that Hyman improved a lot from year to year and the last few years, he's been just fantastic for us. I have to say I'm a bit surprised at how many people now seem to think that he will easily be replaced.

I think he did improve and I think he will be replaced.

However, there is no guarantee whatsoever in sports.

I have no faith Robertson is a NHL player at this time, but what if he is. What if he is NHL ready and plays with marner and Matthews? If Robertson is a NHL player it wouldn't be a stretch to suggest he would be a better talent than Hyman.

As 18 year olds, Hyman 42 goals in 43 games playing OJHL versus Robertson 55 goals in 46 games in the OHL.

Again, I don't think Robertson is close to being ready.

And it's about chemstry with Matthews and marner, if that line stays intact.

I'm not going to say 10 games in they'll know, the new guy(s) have to adjust to the team, to teammates, something that Hyman did over the years.

What matters is what happens in the playoffs, and Hyman isn't the difference between making the playoffs and not making the playoffs.

We'll know in about 6 months, but this line-up is worth watching at least to find out if they're for real, or just a repeat of last year.


Bunting-Matthews-marner
Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander
Ritchie-Kampf-Kase
Mikeyev-Engvall/Brooks-Spezza

I thought Brooks looked decent in the playoffs.

 

[Stephen]

Ah - that explains why the idea was stupid. Ruin any chance at adding at the deadline over a $1.25 million salary on LTIR?

Critical thinking is required.

My understanding of the concept would be to spend another $1.25 million in the summer on Player X, stash Kase away on LTIR for the season and reactivate him when fully recovered so we have both Player X and Kase could be considered a "deadline acquisition."

Since we're talking about two guys making $1.25 million, it's pretty much just another deck chair. At best, could be a creative way to add a little more fat to the roster. Not really all that impactful, but it's not particularly "stupid" either.

 

[Stephen]

Agreed, all the rest is simply “Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic,” as the core 4 combined cap hits is the Iceberg and there is no way around it.

Every year as more and more player contracts come up and are due the middle is cut out and new deck chairs at cheaper prices are brought in as the next season sets sail.

Rinse and repeat... This year its Ritchie, Bunting, Kämpf, Gabriel, Menell, Kase, Mrazek IN and Hyman, Foligno, Galchenyuk, Thornton and Bogosian, Andersen out.

Last year it was Spezza, Simmonds, Thornton, TJ Brodie, Bogisian, Kerfoot, Clifford IN and Kapanen, Johnsson, Kadri, Moore Barrie, Ceci, Out.

Every year Leafs are tinkering around the edges trying to find cheaper contracts to replace the departed contracts which no longer fit under the cap in an effort to find that magic combination to surround the core 4 that those big 4 will carry the team to success.

This year we get to see what Ritchie, Bunting playing alongside the core 4 in the top 6 can achieve, but mostly come playoff time will it be the missing pieces to secure playoff round advancement?.

I think the gamble is one year some combinations of the "deck chairs" have enough of an impact beyond the revolving door program. Not sure what kind of mileage we can really expect but if these guys can help create an environment that supports the big guns, that will help.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Rather than seeing him as a Hyman replacement, I'd see him as a better and healthier (and younger) version of what Simmonds could provide. Ritchie/Simmonds/Bunting will all run hot and cold, and we can just move whoever is hot (or healthy) up the line-up.

This seems spot on.

 

[TimeZone]

This is incorrect.

Did you not see Hyman post injury? He was a minimum salary player to end his tenure.

I seen Hyman attempting to play while still injured.

A healthy Hyman is a better player than any individual we signed this offseason, this isn't indisputable.

 

[Guy Boucher]

I know Hyman is a good player and all but he missed significant time each of the past few seasons. We've survived without him. Also he hasn't been very noteworthy in the playoffs.

It's a loss for sure, but it feels really overstated by many.

 

[TimeZone]

Then it wasn't good last year either.[/B]

Hyman isn't the difference between a good forward group and one that isn't good.

He's a support player who got to play with the 1st. line all-star in marner and the 2nd. line all star in Matthews.

You aren't wrong, it was too top heavy last season and we have the same issues now, with an inferior top six. Lack of scoring has cost us our last two post-season rounds, the fact that posters on this board still refuse to acknowledge this is rather mind boggling.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I think he did improve and I think he will be replaced.

However, there is no guarantee whatsoever in sports.

Of course he will be replaced, every player who leaves gets replaced and of course there are no guarantees. All I'm saying is there is zero reason to think that this team as it stands now is better then last year's team.

 

[Thornbury]

Eh... Hyman is from another level.
This guy is slow, stone hands, takes stupid penalties, and he fanishes way to often...

He did score from PP last season but there were luck involved fanishes after that. Oh. He took stupid penalties though.

Second bad from Dubas in a row.

And Hyman signed for 7 x $5.5 million

 

[ACC1224]

Nice.

 

[Nylanderthal]

Even if we moved Engvall, the cap doesn’t work.

One of Kerfoot or Rielly will need to go regardless.

Im not even sure Engvall + Mikheyev being moved ends up working

20 man roster with 1.2 in cap space for call-ups. Plenty of room.
on a related note. Dubas brought in Ritchie Bunting Kampf & Kase for about $12m in total money, and other GM’s gave Blake Coleman $30m Zach Hyman 38m goodrow $25m Sam Bennett $16m etc etc etc.

 

[kb]

I know Hyman is a good player and all but he missed significant time each of the past few seasons. We've survived without him. Also he hasn't been very noteworthy in the playoffs.

It's a loss for sure, but it feels really overstated by many.

I think feels are trumping facts for many. Always liked Hyman, but he just isn't worth that contract....it's a huge overpay.

 

[TimeZone]

Of course he will be replaced, every player who leaves gets replaced and of course there are no guarantees. All I'm saying is there is zero reason to think that this team as it stands now is better then last year's team.

Forward group looks inferior and our competition this season will certainly be stronger than last.

Zero logical reason to be optimistic about this team competing for a cup this upcoming Season.

 

[zeke]

These guys actually have some upside though. Thornton, Vesey and Simmonds had no upside. Best case scenario was they wouldn't sewer us when they were on the ice. Now, Bunting might have been a flash in the pan, Kase could get his brains scrambled and Ritchie could be fat and lazy, but each could also be competent top-six forward. I don't think these additions are enough, but I don't really have any complaints about them.

Good way of putting it.

 

[rocketman588]

Eh... Hyman is from another level.
This guy is slow, stone hands, takes stupid penalties, and he fanishes way to often...

He did score from PP last season but there were luck involved fanishes after that. Oh. He took stupid penalties though.

Second bad from Dubas in a row.

For what we had in cap space left I don't know if we could have done much better.

Now would I have possibly rather us have invested the kempf/ Ritchie and Kasey money into Hyman? I think maybe but 8 years was a long time to sign him for. But total that does equal 5.25 I believe

I think we did ok. Was a tremendous amount of work to maybe keep the status quo however. I don't know how much better it gets us

 

[Torontonian]

There's no denying Hymans heart, guy played against Boston with a torn ACL. I don't think its going to be as hard to replace as some think. Either way, Ritchie was someone the leafs were looking to bring in. Even if he's a poor mans Hyman.