Oshawa Generals 2024-25 Season Thread, Part 1

[HUSH10]

If Ritchie doesn’t come back at all that’s a huge blow to Oshawa and probably puts them behind Brampton and Barrie. With Ritchie I think they’re at least the second best team in the east without they could be 4-5th best imo

It is very unlikely he doesn't get sent back. Most of us have thought all along he would play some regular season games.

 

[Stellar29]

If that's the case, they will keep him all year. It's either 9 games or all games for them. They won't keep him for let's say 20 games then send him back. They would lose a year of his ELC to the OHL which wouldn't make sense for Colorado.

It's not just the 9 games that is a milestone. I believe 41 games on the roster(as opposed to games played) is also important as I believe(may not have it exact) grants salary arbitration a year early. There have been cases of players playing more than 9 games and still coming back. Point being, I wouldn't be disheartened as a Generals fan if he plays longer than 9 games.

 

[leafs4life94]

I wouldn't be surprised if Colorado ends doing the same thing Seattle did with Wright - spread out the 9 games until Christmas with a couple AHL "conditioning stints" thrown in there - then he after he plays for Canada at the Juniors he gets sent back in the new year.

 

[HUSH10]

I wouldn't be surprised if Colorado ends doing the same thing Seattle did with Wright - spread out the 9 games until Christmas with a couple AHL "conditioning stints" thrown in there - then he after he plays for Canada at the Juniors he gets sent back in the new year.

I guess that's a possible route. I think if A.L. comes back end of the month, then maybe he comes back. I guess we just gotta wait out the next 20 days to see.

 

[yessir29292]

If that's the case, they will keep him all year. It's either 9 games or all games for them. They won't keep him for let's say 20 games then send him back. They would lose a year of his ELC to the OHL which wouldn't make sense for Colorado.

It does make somewhat sense if at Christmas time they don’t see him as a valuable piece to the team anymore and think that him playing in the world juniors and half a season in the OHL is best for his development.

 

[Generalsupdates]

I wouldn't be surprised if Colorado ends doing the same thing Seattle did with Wright - spread out the 9 games until Christmas with a couple AHL "conditioning stints" thrown in there - then he after he plays for Canada at the Juniors he gets sent back in the new year.

I'd be shocked if they did that. I think teams universally saw that didn't work and just led to Wright not playing hockey for a lot of that season.

Colorado's GM has been quoted specifically talking about Ritchie that they'd love to see him make an impact in the NHL but they were in the same position with Bowen Byram a couple years ago and sent him back to Jr and it was great for Byram and he's sure if they end up doing the same with Ritchie it'd be great for him too.

Richie has a great opportunity in these next 2 weeks while COL forwards are hurt, but you know they have 3 top 9 Fs coming back so he's going to have to be really, really good to stick all season

 

[OMG67]

If that's the case, they will keep him all year. It's either 9 games or all games for them. They won't keep him for let's say 20 games then send him back. They would lose a year of his ELC to the OHL which wouldn't make sense for Colorado.

Not necessarily. There is also the 40 game mark which kicks in when he is eligible for UFA. They could eat an EL year but still retain rights until 27 if they send him to Team Canada and then to Oshawa. It would cost them a cheap year but it wouldn’t affect them long term. They’d still get him for seven years starting next year.

 

[HUSH10]

Not necessarily. There is also the 40 game mark which kicks in when he is eligible for UFA. They could eat an EL year but still retain rights until 27 if they send him to Team Canada and then to Oshawa. It would cost them a cheap year but it wouldn’t affect them long term. They’d still get him for seven years starting next year.

I just don't see it going that way. I think it will be the simpler 9 games then home. Unless he lights it up during those 9 games

 

[OMG67]

I just don't see it going that way. I think it will be the simpler 9 games then home. Unless he lights it up during those 9 games

It will depend on needs. If they need him to play 12 games, they will play him 12 games. Teams like Colorado aren’t going to worry about ELC management. They will worry about today and worry about 2026-27 when they get there.

The main thing is retaining his rights through his 27 year old year.