Prospect Info: Avs draft F Calum Ritchie (2023 #27 overall)

[RockLobster]

Pretty high... once you dislocate it once, you become more likely to dislocate them in the future. Each time it happens it increases the risk for it to happen again (and happened at least twice, maybe 3-4 times last year). It won't happen all the time, but reasonable to expect he will have shoulder issues again at somepoint in his career.

So what did he have, a dislocation (which I had thought was the issue, not a separation), or a torn labrum as someone else mentioned in here?

 

[henchman21]

So what did he have, a dislocation (which I had thought was the issue, not a separation), or a torn labrum as someone else mentioned in here?

Both... the labrum tear was from a dislocation and with that injury, you're more prone to having dislocations until it is fixed as the joint is just unstable. Obviously the medical team had to sign off here and believe in it, but I'd want to know from the doctor how extensive the joint damage was.

 

[Avs_19]

Both... the labrum tear was from a dislocation and with that injury, you're more prone to having dislocations until it is fixed as the joint is just unstable. Obviously the medical team had to sign off here and believe in it, but I'd want to know from the doctor how extensive the joint damage was.

Should be all good if the Avs medical/training staff signed off.

 

[henchman21]

Should be all good if the Avs medical/training staff signed off.

 

[RockLobster]

Both... the labrum tear was from a dislocation and with that injury, you're more prone to having dislocations until it is fixed as the joint is just unstable. Obviously the medical team had to sign off here and believe in it, but I'd want to know from the doctor how extensive the joint damage was.

The same medical staff who have let obviously concussed players back in to games, eh?

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

The same medical staff who have let obviously concussed players back in to games, eh?

f*** I forget how hilarious you guys are... have me bursting out loud on a boring work day. Thx

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

So what did he have, a dislocation (which I had thought was the issue, not a separation), or a torn labrum as someone else mentioned in here?

Upper shoulder concussion.

Byram had two last season.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

So like how many people here have actually seen the kid play?

And I don't mean highlights on youtube either.

I didn’t even watch YouTube highlights. I searched him on hockeydb and made my decision.

 

[The Mars Volchenkov]

So like how many people here have actually seen the kid play?

And I don't mean highlights on youtube either.

Well, it’s my job to know about him, so yes, I’ve watched him, and not just YT highlights.

 

[henchman21]

So like how many people here have actually seen the kid play?

And I don't mean highlights on youtube either.

More than you'd think.

 

[Perratrooper]

Both... the labrum tear was from a dislocation and with that injury, you're more prone to having dislocations until it is fixed as the joint is just unstable. Obviously the medical team had to sign off here and believe in it, but I'd want to know from the doctor how extensive the joint damage was.

He’s having (or has already had) surgery on his shoulder which should help the issue. Ultimately, after the first dislocation the pain goes down and the ease of popping it back in goes up. It could lead to weaker shoulders, but could also allow for him to make it through more often.

Depending on the surgery, he could be fine more or less from here out.

Is there any world he turns into O’Reilly? I’ve read comments about him having the ability to become O’Rielly and I personally don’t see it. He appears to lack the drive and tenacity of O’Reilly and looks to be more of a passenger than a driver.

 

[henchman21]

He’s having (or has already had) surgery on his shoulder which should help the issue. Ultimately, after the first dislocation the pain goes down and the ease of popping it back in goes up. It could lead to weaker shoulders, but could also allow for him to make it through more often.

Depending on the surgery, he could be fine more or less from here out.

He had the surgery after the season. The initial injury was last summer in the Hlinka tournament and he played through the whole season with it. Which you could argue him playing through it could cause some permanent damage, especially with him dislocating at least one more time (I've heard twice many times). It is very common to have more shoulder issues after you had a major injury. That doesn't mean it will keep him out or have a major injury next year, at 25 or even at 30... but he's going to be likely to be dealing with it to some extent his whole career.

 

[95snipes]

I don't think it was mentioned, but Olausson got traded to Oshawa in Ritchie's D-1 so I'm sure the Avs saw a lot of Ritchie.

He led the '22 Hlinka Gretzky tournament in scoring (on a team with Benson/Yager/Barlow/etc). I thought he was more opportunistic than dominant in the tournament. Just an ok OHL season. Some may say underwhelming, but he showed well in my viewings. Pretty solid under 18s mostly playing wing with Celebrini and Wood.

I'd say there are decent to good odds that Richie puts up 100 points next year and decent chance he makes the world junior team. IF they are planning to make a big push next year and are considering using Ritchie as a trade chip, he'll be one of the better pieces out there. No one is going to be trading a top 20 pick from this year. The D+2 guys, you have a better idea of what they are and teams will want to keep the winners. The ELC could be valuable in future years if you hang onto him.

As an NHL projection, skating is a concern. I'm not sure he will be able to drive a line or carry a scoring line himself, but if you put him with skill players, he should be able to produce. Not too different from non-'22 Kadri. Smarter player but worse skater.

 

[DanglesFromDuchene]

RyJo lite?

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

Well, it’s my job to know about him, so yes, I’ve watched him, and not just YT highlights.

Is getting drunk and ranting on twitter or asking Nate if he's a gamer really an actual job?

 

[missionAvs]

That did other wise we wouldn't have Toews.

Ask Brian Burke, you can't force a team to make a trade.

I'd like to think that Sleepy Joe just had some dirt on them to make that trade happen. Don't take this from me.

 

[Hasbro]

I'd like to think that Sleepy Joe just had some dirt on them to make that trade happen. Don't take this from me.

On Lou? Sakic probably knew to call just before his afternoon nap.

 

[missionAvs]

On Lou? Sakic probably knew to call just before his afternoon nap.

Probably had a picture of Lou sleeping with a teddy bear or something which would ruin his more ironclad reputation.

 

[Frobbo]

Given his injury and a young team last year it seems people should get a much better read in his D+1 year. Reserving judgement for now.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[GirardSpinorama]

Looks like a ryan o'reilly to me. 2nd overall pick in OHL (ROR was 1st overall). Had a solid but not spectacular season. Skating concerns but very well rounded.

 

[Avaholic29]

I have a feeling this kid surprises a lot of us.

 

[S E P H]

Actually, the more I read about him, the more I am coming around to this pick. I still don't buy the top 10-15 hype, but considering the players around the Avs pick, it was either him or Edstrom as natural centres and I am still glad Avs got one of them.

Hopefully I'm wrong but I'm getting Bowers vibes from this guy. Underwhelming.

Bowers was always a good engine and skater that lacked many tools, Ritchie honestly is the opposite of him. A "meh" skater, but a lot of tools to build upon.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

I had a sneaky suspicion you guys were going for him congrats!

Reminds me of another general in Boone Jenner, not as tenacious imo.

 

[Tommy Shelby]

The ROR comparisons are really only in terms of his skating, and should not be convoluted into hyping the kid up. He's never going to be a burner, so he'll have to rely heavily on his IQ to be in the right place at the right time which is one of the things he currently does and what ROR excels at.

Realistically I see him as a less streaky Kevin Labanc type in the NHL