Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 
Forums :: Blog World :: Bobby Kittleberger: Running Out of Roster Spots for Nick Ritchie
Author Message
Bobby Kittleberger
Joined: 07.31.2018

Sep 13 @ 11:36 AM ET
Bobby Kittleberger: Running Out of Roster Spots for Nick Ritchie No matter how you put together the Anaheim Ducks lineup, it's really difficult to find a place where you feel good about playing Nick Ritchie.
Shuttles
Anaheim Ducks
Joined: 10.04.2017

Sep 13 @ 11:50 AM ET
I'm not sure what bothered me more about Ritchie:

-The horrible penalties he would take in the offensive zone.

Or

-The stupid "what did i do?" face he would make afterwards to the ref.

hdd23
Season Ticket Holder
Anaheim Ducks
Location: Villa Park, CA
Joined: 03.08.2013

Sep 13 @ 12:21 PM ET
Ritchie is still young. Brad Marchand wasn't spectacular until the last few years of his career (not comparing the two).
To give up on him now would be nonsense. You would be wasting all the efforts of development you have put into him.
Remember, he was drafted the same year as Marcus Pettersen, Brandon Montour, and Ondrej Kase - while Ritchie hasn't been remarkable, I think another year of top-9 minutes could pay major dividends down the road.
Bobby Kittleberger
Joined: 07.31.2018

Sep 13 @ 12:23 PM ET
I'm not sure what bothered me more about Ritchie:

-The horrible penalties he would take in the offensive zone.

Or

-The stupid "what did i do?" face he would make afterwards to the ref.

- Shuttles


I remember seeing him look so shocked after completely blatant (and bad) penalties. I would have had more respect for him if he just took his lumps and skated to the box. It was laughable watching him argue some of those calls.
Bobby Kittleberger
Joined: 07.31.2018

Sep 13 @ 12:24 PM ET
Ritchie is still young. Brad Marchand wasn't spectacular until the last few years of his career (not comparing the two).
To give up on him now would be nonsense. You would be wasting all the efforts of development you have put into him.
Remember, he was drafted the same year as Marcus Pettersen, Brandon Montour, and Ondrej Kase - while Ritchie hasn't been remarkable, I think another year of top-9 minutes could pay major dividends down the road.

- hdd23


I think that's a valid point, it's just hard for me to find a spot where I'd want to see him play. Ya know? Like, which line would you put him on, assuming everyone is healthy?
duxcup07
Joined: 07.10.2007

Sep 13 @ 12:32 PM ET
After watching the kids this past weekend in Vegas, Nick Ritchie and his agent have made a massive miscalculation and I now believe there's a good chance he might get traded, if possible. Troy Terry, Sam Steel, and Max Comtois were dominant against similar competition and I believe they all proved they were ready for a shot in the NHL. I would like to hear someone's reason why they believe the Ducks would be better with Ritchie vs. Terry, Steel, or Comtois on the opening night roster.
dozerD10
Anaheim Ducks
Location: long beach, CA
Joined: 01.29.2014

Sep 13 @ 1:14 PM ET
Bye Nick .. good to know ya...
Bobby Kittleberger
Joined: 07.31.2018

Sep 13 @ 1:50 PM ET
After watching the kids this past weekend in Vegas, Nick Ritchie and his agent have made a massive miscalculation and I now believe there's a good chance he might get traded, if possible. Troy Terry, Sam Steel, and Max Comtois were dominant against similar competition and I believe they all proved they were ready for a shot in the NHL. I would like to hear someone's reason why they believe the Ducks would be better with Ritchie vs. Terry, Steel, or Comtois on the opening night roster.
- duxcup07


THIS.
Shuttles
Anaheim Ducks
Joined: 10.04.2017

Sep 13 @ 2:38 PM ET
After watching the kids this past weekend in Vegas, Nick Ritchie and his agent have made a massive miscalculation and I now believe there's a good chance he might get traded, if possible. Troy Terry, Sam Steel, and Max Comtois were dominant against similar competition and I believe they all proved they were ready for a shot in the NHL. I would like to hear someone's reason why they believe the Ducks would be better with Ritchie vs. Terry, Steel, or Comtois on the opening night roster.
- duxcup07


I would take Terry or Steel over Ritchie any day.
quackup
Anaheim Ducks
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Joined: 09.29.2014

Sep 13 @ 4:40 PM ET
I would take Terry or Steel over Ritchie any day.
- Shuttles

I probably would too if they all played the same position.

Terry = RW
Steel = C
Ritchie = LW

We can't assume Terry/Steel are comfortable playing another position.
cragar77
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: MI
Joined: 06.20.2013

Sep 13 @ 5:02 PM ET
It's too bad for Bob Murray that Don Cherry isn't the Leafs GM. He'd trade Nylander for Ritchie in a heartbeat
Shuttles
Anaheim Ducks
Joined: 10.04.2017

Sep 13 @ 5:15 PM ET
I probably would too if they all played the same position.

Terry = RW
Steel = C
Ritchie = LW

We can't assume Terry/Steel are comfortable playing another position.

- quackup


I'm going to stick by what I said. I bet Terry/Steel would still be an upgrade at LW.
yzermaneely
Anaheim Ducks
Location: Poway, CA
Joined: 12.17.2011

Sep 13 @ 5:27 PM ET
Quackup,

We can assume people who don't play hockey won't understand right wing is a different animal than left wing. They also assume right defense is an easy transition from left defense. Just look at all the people slotting Kase on left wing for the season.

Everything from the breakout to zone entries is on the other side. Unless you're ambidextrous with a double stick, it's a major adjustment.
quackup
Anaheim Ducks
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Joined: 09.29.2014

Sep 13 @ 6:11 PM ET
Quackup,

We can assume people who don't play hockey won't understand right wing is a different animal than left wing. They also assume right defense is an easy transition from left defense. Just look at all the people slotting Kase on left wing for the season.

Everything from the breakout to zone entries is on the other side. Unless you're ambidextrous with a double stick, it's a major adjustment.

- yzermaneely

Agree!! It just gets frustrating.

I used to be a bowler. I averaged in the high 210's as a lefty, but couldn't bowl right handed if they paid me. One of my teammates averaged 200+ as a right hander, yet was able to average over 190+ as a lefty. I was amazed at that.

Nucker101
Vancouver Canucks
Location: Vancouver, BC
Joined: 09.26.2010

Sep 13 @ 6:16 PM ET
Is he still fat?
Shuttles
Anaheim Ducks
Joined: 10.04.2017

Sep 13 @ 6:39 PM ET
Quackup,

We can assume people who don't play hockey won't understand right wing is a different animal than left wing. They also assume right defense is an easy transition from left defense. Just look at all the people slotting Kase on left wing for the season.

Everything from the breakout to zone entries is on the other side. Unless you're ambidextrous with a double stick, it's a major adjustment.

- yzermaneely



Not sure if you're saying this as a knock to me. I've been playing hockey for about 25 years and understand the sport and that positioning is everything. Merely making a joke that I would rather have Terry/Steel in the lineup over Ritchie.
Max.Betts
Vancouver Canucks
Location: Vancouver
Joined: 09.30.2015

Sep 15 @ 6:31 PM ET
I think casual hockey fans get way too obsessed with line combos and see their team as 4 units of three rather than a pool of players available to deploy based on health, performance and attributes. Nick Ritchie is presently a bottom six guy. You wouldnt deploy him on a top scoring line, but his size and physicality is an attribute rather rare among the forwards. Sure Getz and Perry and Kesler can all bring it, but if Ritchie isn't paired with them, and coach wants a guy to go out there and bang, there are fewer and fewer options available.

I don't think you give up on a role player just because he isn't playing the role you wanted when you drafted him. He had over 200 hits last season and isn't afraid to throw knuckles. I'm not saying he's the next Tom Wilson but I will say trading him for a 3rd round pick to open a roster spot for a prospect doesnt sound like the best idea either.

Remember that seasons are long, injuries are real, and the West is NASTY. You want guys like Nick Ritchie on your side.
rubberduckies
Anaheim Ducks
Location: Huntington beach, CA
Joined: 02.21.2008

Sep 15 @ 6:33 PM ET
I would give Nick two more years...
yzermaneely
Anaheim Ducks
Location: Poway, CA
Joined: 12.17.2011

Sep 17 @ 8:40 PM ET
Not sure if you're saying this as a knock to me. I've been playing hockey for about 25 years and understand the sport and that positioning is everything. Merely making a joke that I would rather have Terry/Steel in the lineup over Ritchie.
- Shuttles

I definitely wasn't calling you out. It was more of a general statement. Having spent countless hours practicing for left wing with my right skate against the boards and my stick ready to catch the puck coming around the boards informed my statement. When I play on the right, it's like I'm in opposite world. The same goes for every offensive move.

I want some of the young guys in there too. I'm ready for Roy to get the permanent call up as well.