Player Discussion Brett Ritchie

[Fenian24]

The league has to stop this.

That fight wasn't over (even though I thought Richie landed a few blows that really should've ended it. Props to Goodrow).

Yet another dangerous situation where the opposing player is still swinging while the linesmen are trying (and failing) to hogtie both players efficiently. If they wait for one to go down or both guys to agree to end the fight there's no issue.

Last instance I remember this happening, during a B's game, was when McQuaid was squaring off with someone, the refs wrapped him prematurely, then the other player got a few free swings in. It's dangerous and unnecessary.

They all went to the Kevin Collins school of Linesmen.

 

[TwineTickler]

The league has to stop this.

That fight wasn't over (even though I thought Richie landed a few blows that really should've ended it. Props to Goodrow).

Yet another dangerous situation where the opposing player is still swinging while the linesmen are trying (and failing) to hogtie both players efficiently. If they wait for one to go down or both guys to agree to end the fight there's no issue.

Last instance I remember this happening, during a B's game, was when McQuaid was squaring off with someone, the refs wrapped him prematurely, then the other player got a few free swings in. It's dangerous and unnecessary.

They also need to stop stopping things before they start. Backes and Radil (I think), Marchand and Couture etc etc... but it's absolutely dangerous to get involved while punches are being thrown and you have the potential for what happened to McQuaid and to a lesser extend Ritchie last night. I remember the fight you're talking about and McQuaid soundly won but took 2/3 right in the kisser at the end because the linesmen wrapped him up and not the other guy. Fighting is aleady down, but it's a fact that fans love it. If things start, let them go. Don't rush into stop them. So frustrating.

 

[TwineTickler]

The fight last night went a long way in lengthening Ritchie's credit with the organization and fans, IMO.

Agreed... but it can't be his only one. He needs this to be part of his game consistently.

 

[CDJ]

They also need to stop stopping things before they start. Backes and Radil (I think), Marchand and Couture etc etc... but it's absolutely dangerous to get involved while punches are being thrown and you have the potential for what happened to McQuaid and to a lesser extend Ritchie last night. I remember the fight you're talking about and McQuaid soundly won but took 2/3 right in the kisser at the end because the linesmen wrapped him up and not the other guy. Fighting is aleady down, but it's a fact that fans love it. If things start, let them go. Don't rush into stop them. So frustrating.

Drives me nuts. It’s one thing if a guy got jumped but for the most part this is completely voluntary, there’s no reason to get involved and possibly put one of them in even more jeopardy than they are already in. Throwing bombs at each other’s heads is enough

 

[BruinsNetwork]

Not to pile on Ritchie again, but he sure does look out of place on this team, IMO. He should be on L4, which isn’t his fault he’s playing higher, but still just not seeing it.

 

[Sheppy]

He's been fine with Coyle. In fact, they've been good, they're a lot to handle. Ritchie does a great job down low and Coyle does most of the puck carrying.

Also, nice to have a guy who's not afraid to drop them in the forward group because literally no one else can.

 

[TimThomas24]

I think a lot of people are overreacting with him. I expected a 4th liner type player and thats what he is. Whats the problem? He’s been fine isn’t a black hole. I just thought he’d throw the body a bit more than he does.

 

[Estlin]

He's been fine with Coyle. In fact, they've been good, they're a lot to handle. Ritchie does a great job down low and Coyle does most of the puck carrying.

Also, nice to have a guy who's not afraid to drop them in the forward group because literally no one else can.

Because fighting is such an integral part of a team's success.

 

[BruinsNetwork]

Because fighting is such an integral part of a team's success.

It’s not like Brett Ritchie is some known fighter or tough guy that players stay away from, either. He had a good bout the other night, but you wouldn’t know he’s 6’4” and 220lbs by watching him play, IMO.

 

[LSCII]

I think a lot of people are overreacting with him. I expected a 4th liner type player and thats what he is. Whats the problem? He’s been fine isn’t a black hole. I just thought he’d throw the body a bit more than he does.

The problem isn't that he's been a 4th line type player. It's that he's been a 4th line type player being used on the second and third lines. It's not his fault and he'd probably look a lot better on the actual 4th line, but with secondary scoring being non-existent it's time for Sweeney to stop hoping Ritchie is the answer because he's not. Time to fix that hole, Donnie. Don't care if it's via trade or call up. Just do something.

 

[sarge88]

The problem isn't that he's been a 4th line type player. It's that he's been a 4th line type player being used on the second and third lines. It's not his fault and he'd probably look a lot better on the actual 4th line, but with secondary scoring being non-existent it's time for Sweeney to stop hoping Ritchie is the answer because he's not. Time to fix that hole, Donnie. Don't care if it's via trade or call up. Just do something.

I think it's got to be via trade.

I don't think he will do it, but I don't think anyone internal is capable right now of being the 25/25 guy that I feel they need.

 

[Fenian24]

Because fighting is such an integral part of a team's success.

Yup,, Brett Ritchie and Link Gaetz, same guy. sorry the game hasn't banned fighting entirely for you yet. Let's replace Ritchie with a 5'5 160 lbs guy with the same production but he has "speed and skill".

Ritchie has been a nice part of this team all year, I want another guy who can score a bit more with similar size but who will be more aggressive in the top 6, the list has been debated for years so I won't bother going over it. I'll just say there are a few Blue Jackets that would good in the top 6

 

[Sheppy]

Because fighting is such an integral part of a team's success.

Right now the team is 11-1-2, I'd say they're fine with Ritchie in the line up, hell, the only game they lost in regulation, Ritchie didn't play in. He's been better than Kuraly & Wagner pretty much all season.

No one is saying he's a savior offensively, but he hasn't been bad. He's been fine. He's not a 2nd line player, and probably not even a third line player, however he hasn't looked out of place playing with Coyle.

And no, fighting doesn't mean team success, however having a guy in the lineup that doesn't get his head caved in is better than not. The game against San Jose he was very solid, tried forcing the issue with Kane, then dusted Goodrow right after Kane turned him down.

 

[Mainehockey33]

I don’t mind if he plays on the 4th line if Wagner gets injured.

 

[Fenian24]

People wonder why I say parts of this board are against physical players and only love speedy, passive midgets. Team has lost one ******* game all year but Brett Ritchie, who has done what was expected of him, is public enemy number one and should be replaced by a passive midget. Give me a bigger, badder Ritchie not another smurf.

If this place had been around in 87-88 with Miller, Byers, Plett, Neely, Markwart, Kluzak even Keith Crowder, the hand wringing and praying for the mayhem to end would be out of control.

 

[LSCII]

People wonder why I say parts of this board are against physical players and only love speedy, passive midgets. Team has lost one ******* game all year but Brett Ritchie, who has done what was expected of him, is public enemy number one and should be replaced by a passive midget. Give me a bigger, badder Ritchie not another smurf.

If this place had been around in 87-88 with Miller, Byers, Plett, Neely, Markwart, Kluzak even Keith Crowder, the hand wringing and praying for the mayhem to end would be out of control.

But see, you intentionally position anyone as a pacifist that disagrees with you and you pretend people here are anti fighting. Nobody is. At all.

What people have an issue with Brett Ritchie for isn't because he's willing to drop the gloves, but that he's being used in a scoring role and he isn't a scorer. If you took Ritchie and plugged him into a 4th line role that he's actually suited for, nobody would even mention him in a negative light. He'd been fine. It's only that they have zero scoring in the lineup outside of Bergeron's line, and a guy like Ritchie is bouncing from the second and third lines, in a clear cut scoring role.

 

[Fenian24]

But see, you intentionally position anyone as a pacifist that disagrees with you and you pretend people here are anti fighting. Nobody is. At all.

What people have an issue with Brett Ritchie for isn't because he's willing to drop the gloves, but that he's being used in a scoring role and he isn't a scorer. If you took Ritchie and plugged him into a 4th line role that he's actually suited for, nobody would even mention him in a negative light. He'd been fine. It's only that they have zero scoring in the lineup outside of Bergeron's line, and a guy like Ritchie is bouncing from the second and third lines, in a clear cut scoring role.

I don’t mind if he plays on the 4th line if Wagner gets injured.

I don't think Don Sweeney looked at his 4 goals last year and thought "this will solve our scoring issues". If he did he shouldn't be GM. Ritchie is a bottom six forward with a good shot who will fight, his play against San Jose was significant, his inconsistency is maddening.

 

[BruinsNetwork]

But see, you intentionally position anyone as a pacifist that disagrees with you and you pretend people here are anti fighting. Nobody is. At all.

What people have an issue with Brett Ritchie for isn't because he's willing to drop the gloves, but that he's being used in a scoring role and he isn't a scorer. If you took Ritchie and plugged him into a 4th line role that he's actually suited for, nobody would even mention him in a negative light. He'd been fine. It's only that they have zero scoring in the lineup outside of Bergeron's line, and a guy like Ritchie is bouncing from the second and third lines, in a clear cut scoring role.

I still like the contract and chance they took on him, but I just don't see him as a good top-nine option. Yes, the team is playing well, but had the top-line not been producing then things would look much different right now. I think Ritchie would be a pretty good 4RW on this team if there was the space for him between Wagner or whoever else down there. Can he bring more than Wagner down there? Maybe.

I just really don't see Ritchie as this big, tough, hard-to-play-against forward that others have been leading on. If anything, I truly feel like he doesn't play up to his size and isn't that hard to out-muscle on the ice. Want to bring size and skill into the lineup? Be my guest as I'm truly not against it. However, that size has to bring more than...just size.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Where did I disagree with @LSCII?
@Fenian24

 

[Fenian24]

I still like the contact and chance they took on him, but I just don't see him as a good top-nine option. Yes, the team is playing well, but had the top-line not been producing then things would look much different right now. I think Ritchie would be a pretty good 4RW on this team if there was the space for him between Wagner or whoever else down there. Can he bring more than Wagner down there? Maybe.

I just really don't see Ritchie as this big, tough, hard-to-play-against forward that others have been leading on. If anything, I truly feel like he doesn't play up to his size and isn't that hard to out-muscle on the ice. Want to bring size and skill into the lineup? Be my guest as I'm truly not against it. However, that size has to bring more than...just size.

This is a fair assessment, but he is the biggest, toughest forward by default. Until Frederic is called up he is really the only one they have, and it is by default.

Add Frederic as fourth line LW, go get Anderson,. Then he has no place except 13th forward, right now he brings size and some badly needed toughness. Oh and they still have only lost one game, they are not perfect, I certainly hope Sweeney doesn't believe they are and fixes the holes they have.

 

[Fenian24]

Where did I disagree with @LSCII?
@Fenian24

By saying he is only a fourth liner if there are injuries and he stated he is best suited for a fourth line roll.

 

[Sheppy]

Ritchie has been very good down low and creating a mess in front of the net when on a line with Coyle. I'd say he uses his size fine, especially when he has the puck.

He's 3rd on the team in hits while playing 3 minutes less than the other 2 leaders.

He's the team scapegoat because he's playing 3rd line and that's because Don hasn't addressed the 2nd line issue. You address that and the rest of the roster kind of falls into place.

 

[prizminferno]

Ritchie is the worst forward regular on the team, don't think it's close

 

[Mainehockey33]

By saying he is only a fourth liner if there are injuries and he stated he is best suited for a fourth line roll.

He doesn’t produce enough offense to be above the 4th line and I wouldn’t sit Wagner to play him. Wagner has chemistry with Kuraly and Nordstrom.

He’s an ideal 13th forward right now, he won’t hurt the team on the ice but doesn’t add anything they need to win games. Kinda like Kampfer and I like Kampfer.

 

[Sheppy]

Ritchie is the worst forward regular on the team, don't think it's close

Yeah, he isn't though. He's been much better than Wagner and Kuraly all year.