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

[Pierce Hawthorne]

If I were a betting man, I'd guess Ritchie gets his 9 game stint at least. Depending on how he looks he might end up getting the entire year. The Avs do enjoy rushing prospects after all.

It might depend largely on the makeup of the roster as well. With the Nuke news I dont think we see much change in that regard(And quite frankly never did think they'd do anything down the middle) but if they did decide to move Colton it would probably further suggest the plan to start Ritchie as 3C sort of idea.

 

[Hasbro]

He will dislocate it by celebrating a goal for sure

Preseason empty netter.

 

[jabubenice]

Not sure about the Europe option, but yeah I believe all that is accurate.

I think the big question regarding Ritchie is what's worse for his development:

- Go back to the OHL and risk stagnation
- Put him in the NHL too early and risk overwhelming him

Personally, I'd probably send him back. Less risky.

so risk stagnation??

 

[Chiarelli]

So, Ritchie can't play in the AHL next season, due to age. Options are 1) the NHL, if he makes the team. Probably will depend on how he does in training camp. 2) Back to the OHL, but sub-optimal. Or, 3) Sign Ritchie and loan him to a European club for next season. Yes???

9 games a couple healthy scratches to stretch it out to November or so get him used to NHL. Send him back before Christmas. World Juniors and dominate the second half/OHL playoffs.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

He will have nothing left to accomplish in the OHL next year as a 20 year old playing his 4th season. It will be pure domination and no test to actually improve.

NHL next season. Stick him on the RW next to Colton/Wood, they play a simple style and he can start to develop a 2 way game with that group. If he struggles, 4th line swap with LOC.

 

[Ararana]

so risk stagnation??

I'm hopeful he earns a spot in camp and starts the season with Wood and Colton on the third line. But if he shows he's not ready, yeah I'd rather send him back.

 

[niwotsblessing]

He will have nothing left to accomplish in the OHL next year as a 20 year old playing his 4th season. It will be pure domination and no test to actually improve.

NHL next season. Stick him on the RW next to Colton/Wood, they play a simple style and he can start to develop a 2 way game with that group. If he struggles, 4th line swap with LOC.

So Kovalenko is in the top6?

 

[Avs9296]

So Kovalenko is in the top6?

Kovalenko probably takes Cogs spot on the 4th line who should retire.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

IMO injuries to other players will also play a role in if he stays up or go back to Oshawa.

I'm sure there are a few things he could learn in Oshawa next season but are they worth sending him down for those? He has already improved on some important things this past season like skating, using his size, and going to the dirty areas according to Brock who is a very respected poster regarding OHL players.

I don't think there is anything he can learn there that he couldn't learn with the Avs. Start him on the W to get his feet wet. He would also give us some depth at C in case of injuries. At least give him his 9 games to see if he is ready. He is already a pretty good 2-way player which is something important for Bednar.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

So Kovalenko is in the top6?

4th line.

 

[Perratrooper]

Ideally they play him a 3-4 games, health bomb him for 5 games (min requirement for stint), send him on AHL conditioning stint (see Shane Wright) which is a max of 5 games or 14 days, call him back up for 4-5 games and then send him back down to the OHL with a structured plan based on professional tape.

This is assuming that he doesn’t actually make the squad. Which may also be an option depending on team health. The way I see it, we’re likely going to make an attempt to keep Drouin given the Nuke LTIR situation. So sure fire roster forwards: MacK, Mikko, Landy, Lehky, Mitts, Colton, LOC, Wood and Drouin. We then have Kovy, Foudy, Ivan, Wagner, but none are guaranteed.

 

[Ararana]

So Kovalenko is in the top6?

Back in Russia as soon as he gets his first look at the message therapist.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

Ideally they play him a 3-4 games, health bomb him for 5 games (min requirement for stint), send him on AHL conditioning stint (see Shane Wright) which is a max of 5 games or 14 days, call him back up for 4-5 games and then send him back down to the OHL with a structured plan based on professional tape.

This is assuming that he doesn’t actually make the squad. Which may also be an option depending on team health. The way I see it, we’re likely going to make an attempt to keep Drouin given the Nuke LTIR situation. So sure fire roster forwards: MacK, Mikko, Landy, Lehky, Mitts, Colton, LOC, Wood and Drouin. We then have Kovy, Foudy, Ivan, Wagner, but none are guaranteed.

Add Jedlicky to your last list.

 

[tigervixxxen]

So, Ritchie can't play in the AHL next season, due to age. Options are 1) the NHL, if he makes the team. Probably will depend on how he does in training camp. 2) Back to the OHL, but sub-optimal. Or, 3) Sign Ritchie and loan him to a European club for next season. Yes???

Europe is not an option. He’s contractually obligated to play in the OHL if he’s not in the NHL. He needs a NHL contract and proactive org commitment to play in the NHL so really it’s door #2.

 

[willy702]

Europe is not an option. He’s contractually obligated to play in the OHL if he’s not in the NHL. He needs a NHL contract and proactive org commitment to play in the NHL so really it’s door #2.

So true but i'm hopeful of #1. Really embrace the youth movement and stop depending on over-30 guys for once. He can make the 3rd line somewhat reasonable if he can nail down the defensive system.

 

[dahrougem2]

The Avs don't spurn kids in favour of vets. They played Cale Makar immediately. They played Bo Byram immediately. They played Alex Newhook immediately. They played Conor Timmins in his 2nd pro season.

The Avs have wanted Oskar Olausson to show them he can take the next step for years now. He sucks, so he can't. You guys really think Olausson is impressing so much in camp that he's always riiiiight on the edge of making the squad? The Avs want this guy to show them what he's got but they realize he can't.

If Cal Ritchie is good enough to play, he's going to play with the Avalanche. The only reason the Avs don't embrace a "youth movement" is because their current youth all stink. Foudy, Ivan, Steinburg, Pavel, these guys aren't NHLers and most likely won't ever be.

Sean Behrens is probably going to be given every opportunity to take the 3LD spot next season, too. If the young player is good enough, the young player will play.

 

[TruePowerSlave]

The Avs don't spurn kids in favour of vets. They played Cale Makar immediately. They played Bo Byram immediately. They played Alex Newhook immediately. They played Conor Timmins in his 2nd pro season.

The Avs have wanted Oskar Olausson to show them he can take the next step for years now. He sucks, so he can't. You guys really think Olausson is impressing so much in camp that he's always riiiiight on the edge of making the squad? The Avs want this guy to show them what he's got but they realize he can't.

If Cal Ritchie is good enough to play, he's going to play with the Avalanche. The only reason the Avs don't embrace a "youth movement" is because their current youth all stink. Foudy, Ivan, Steinburg, Pavel, these guys aren't NHLers and most likely won't ever be.

Sean Behrens is probably going to be given every opportunity to take the 3LD spot next season, too. If the young player is good enough, the young player will play.

A million times this. The Avs have zero issues playing young guys. Problem is that there barely is anyone capable of anything since they cannot draft.

 

[The Abusement Park]

The Avs don't spurn kids in favour of vets. They played Cale Makar immediately. They played Bo Byram immediately. They played Alex Newhook immediately. They played Conor Timmins in his 2nd pro season.

The Avs have wanted Oskar Olausson to show them he can take the next step for years now. He sucks, so he can't. You guys really think Olausson is impressing so much in camp that he's always riiiiight on the edge of making the squad? The Avs want this guy to show them what he's got but they realize he can't.

If Cal Ritchie is good enough to play, he's going to play with the Avalanche. The only reason the Avs don't embrace a "youth movement" is because their current youth all stink. Foudy, Ivan, Steinburg, Pavel, these guys aren't NHLers and most likely won't ever be.

Sean Behrens is probably going to be given every opportunity to take the 3LD spot next season, too. If the young player is good enough, the young player will play.

Sampo f***ing Ranta got his NHL debut in the playoffs for god sake.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

The Avs don't spurn kids in favour of vets. They played Cale Makar immediately. They played Bo Byram immediately. They played Alex Newhook immediately. They played Conor Timmins in his 2nd pro season.

The Avs have wanted Oskar Olausson to show them he can take the next step for years now. He sucks, so he can't. You guys really think Olausson is impressing so much in camp that he's always riiiiight on the edge of making the squad? The Avs want this guy to show them what he's got but they realize he can't.

If Cal Ritchie is good enough to play, he's going to play with the Avalanche. The only reason the Avs don't embrace a "youth movement" is because their current youth all stink. Foudy, Ivan, Steinburg, Pavel, these guys aren't NHLers and most likely won't ever be.

Sean Behrens is probably going to be given every opportunity to take the 3LD spot next season, too. If the young player is good enough, the young player will play.

IMO there are four of the current AHL guys that could still make it on the Avs within the next few years and should get call ups in the meantime.

- Foudy - the issue with him is he can't stay healthy.
- Ivan - IMO he has a chance to steal the 4C spot. He took a big step mid season but then hit a wall. He is a Bednar-type player for the 4th line.
- Jedlicky - Another guy that could steal the 4C spot (or a W spot) but he lost a full season so they will probably want him to prove himself in the AHL first but he is also a Bednar-type player.
- Olausson - Until just before he got hurt last season I would have agreed with you but it looks like he was turning a corner finally but then got hurt. He had 9 pts in his last 8 games and was also a lot more engaged. Small sample size though so he will have to show more consistency before the Avs promote him.

The Avs need to save cap space somewhere so I think Ivan will be given a very good look. For the same reason, I also agree with you on Ritchie and Behrens. It might be more difficult for Behrens because who then plays 3RW. I doubt the Avs would go with a Behrens-Malinski 3rd pair to start the season.

 

[willy702]

IMO there are four of the current AHL guys that could still make it on the Avs within the next few years and should get call ups in the meantime.

- Foudy - the issue with him is he can't stay healthy.
- Ivan - IMO he has a chance to steal the 4C spot. He took a big step mid season but then hit a wall. He is a Bednar-type player for the 4th line.
- Jedlicky - Another guy that could steal the 4C spot (or a W spot) but he lost a full season so they will probably want him to prove himself in the AHL first but he is also a Bednar-type player.
- Olausson - Until just before he got hurt last season I would have agreed with you but it looks like he was turning a corner finally but then got hurt. He had 9 pts in his last 8 games and was also a lot more engaged. Small sample size though so he will have to show more consistency before the Avs promote him.

The Avs need to save cap space somewhere so I think Ivan will be given a very good look. For the same reason, I also agree with you on Ritchie and Behrens. It might be more difficult for Behrens because who then plays 3RW. I doubt the Avs would go with a Behrens-Malinski 3rd pair to start the season.

Agreed with all of this. I think Ivan is a great 4C prospect and should get the spot. Foudy certainly can stick if healthy as well. I doubt Behrens starts the year in the NHL so not going to consider him and Sam together for now but it should be an option. If they can't get a younger version of Jack Johnson to sign for vet minimum salary then it's going to be on the kids to fill that role soon enough.

 

[PowerMac]

Bednar's plays them initially sure, but the new kids have very little leash and get benched right away without much of a shot to earn their spot back.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Bednar's plays them initially sure, but the new kids have very little leash and get benched right away without much of a shot to earn their spot back.

Which young players had Bednar not played that’s gone on to be a mistake? Ranta? Greer? Timmins?

 

[dahrougem2]

Bednar's plays them initially sure, but the new kids have very little leash and get benched right away without much of a shot to earn their spot back.

If you suck, he won't play you.

 

[henchman21]

If you suck, he won't play you.

This is pretty much it. If you're good enough, you play regardless of age. If you're not, you don't play.

I don't think Ritchie will stick, but it won't be about youth. It'll simply be that he's not ready for the pace and physicality of the NHL in the role he needs to play. If he shows he's ready in camp, he will play.

 

[PowerMac]

If you suck, he won't play you.

Well most rookies aren't going to be very good right away don't you think? Bednar overplayed players who suck all the time though, Barberio, Bourque, Dries, Megna. Dude loves his ahl vets.