Player Discussion Nick Ritchie

[LouJersey]

It's silly. Especially because the main argument against Wood was that we didn't need size or toughness. Now Ritchie is ok and Wood is not because Ritchie is bigger and tougher.

Regardless, I'm happy we got someone with some size/power to get inside and play against bigger defensemen, and I'm looking forward to seeing Ritchie.

I will say, my one concern with Nick is his speed. This team plays up tempo, they love the quick outs and stretch plays to streaking wingers. Cassidy didn't like Cehlarik because he wasn't fast, he didn't like Heinen because he wasn't fast. Will Nick get a pass because he's physical? Can he improve his foot speed?

Ritchie will have the food speed to deal with and more importantly his lazy and ill timed penalties (A Wood specialty to be fair as well)… Should be interesting to say the least.

 

[Krupp]

If he's playing with Coyle and they're on the forecheck, Coyle will be able to hang onto the puck long enough that, if Ritchie's behind the play, he can catch up. I'm not too worried about that.

Heinen wasn't exactly a speed demon, himself, so this "OH he's behind the play he's fat" shit is just ridiculous. By the way Kuhlman is a speedster and has hands of stone. Life's a bitch like that.

Edit: Also, when did Hfboards start not editing swear words on here?? I like it

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Ritchie will have the food speed to deal with and more importantly his lazy and ill timed penalties (A Wood specialty to be fair as well)… Should be interesting to say the least.

That's funny.

 

[False Start]

I'm excited to at least watch him play before I throw him to the wolves. I want at minimum at a guy who can chip in occasionally as much as Heinen did but provide less of a stable positional presence and more of a physical puck possession, shot driven presence.

 

[trenton1]

Perhaps seeing a family member in a scrum would force Brett to actually use his size and strength instead of his usual pacifist way of play for a big man. My biggest issue with Brett was there just not enough snarl to his game like I see with Tom Wilson who brings that meanness you fear on the ice

The first problem with Brett seems to be motivation. The handful of games he was dialed in (Dallas, SJ) he was effective. He's fringe, but he could have some moments on a 4th line due to the fact that he is very tough.
I'm intrigued by the potential of the Ritchie brothers in games against Washington mostly. If they can get guys like Wilson or Hathaway out of the mix that would be helpful. Brett failed at that on his own in December but I think Nick is a more motivated individual. It could be contagious in the short term, but ultimately Nick is the real NHL talent, as DKH mentioned.

 

[Sheppy]

That's funny.

He's quicker than most think. Once he gets going he's a bull.

 

[LouJersey]

That's funny.

You don't think his speed can be an issue here? I sure do.

 

[TSBruins13]

Imagine a line brawl and fighting next to your brother. Man that would be something.

 

[mikelvl]

Imagine a line brawl and fighting next to your brother. Man that would be something.

If he's in a line brawl with his brother, then the B's probably lost the deal because he's in Providence playing Bridgeport on a Sunday afternoon.

 

[rocketdan9]

Predraft scouting report

Looks like Sweeney is hoping for another Coyle type talent turnaround with Nick


Ben Kerr from LastWordOnSports.com profiles Ritchie this way:

Nick Ritchie is a power forward prospect who finishes his checks, and plays a very straight line game, taking the puck right to the front of the net and not caring if he has to go through a defenceman to do it. He loves to stand in front of the net and has the quick, soft hands necessary to score on rebounds and deflections. Ritchie might have the best wrist shot in this draft class. It is tremendously powerful, and features a very good release. It can be in the back of the net before the goaltender even knows that he’s shot the puck. That wrist shot is already NHL ready. He is powerful in board battles, overpowering defencemen and winning pucks. While plenty of Draft Eligible prospects need to add muscle to their frames before going pro, Ritchie is already built like a truck.​

 

[Fenian24]

New second line LW, he and Kase played together in Anaheim and with Krecji should form a very solid line. Big, mean and tough, so desperately needed here for so long. Use him as a net front presence on PP2 and he will put up decent point totals,

 

[NeelyDan]

You don't think his speed can be an issue here? I sure do.

it said 'food speed' lol

 

[JOKER 192]

New second line LW, he and Kase played together in Anaheim and with Krecji should form a very solid line. Big, mean and tough, so desperately needed here for so long. Use him as a net front presence on PP2 and he will put up decent point totals,

As much as many here ,including me , would like to see that, I don't see Cassidy doing that. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[JCRO]

Any idea if he and Kase played together enough this season (same line) /saw success in that and thus justifying keeping them on the same line in Boston?

My feeling is Cassidy splits them, at least for now-
JDB-Krejci-Kase
Ritchie-Coyle-Bjork/Kuhlman

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

You don't think his speed can be an issue here? I sure do.

The poster wrote "food speed".

Clearly a subliminal typo because of Ritchie's weight.

 

[RustyBruins72]

‘member how our D were run and slammed in the playoffs?
Well, we got one too now.

member how most here would look at their laces when it came time to stick up for a teamate? Well we got that too.

Love this post.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

What number is he gonna wear?

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

 

[Deuce22]

Any idea if he and Kase played together enough this season (same line) /saw success in that and thus justifying keeping them on the same line in Boston?

My feeling is Cassidy splits them, at least for now-
JDB-Krejci-Kase
Ritchie-Coyle-Bjork/Kuhlman

Ritchie/Henrique/Kase was the Ducks best line last season. This year Eakins broke them up, Ritchie lately was playing with Henrique and Terry. Kase and Ritchie know each other well. I like what they bring together. Kase hounds the puck on the forecheck, Ritchie is strong along the boards and in front of the net.

 

[PB37]

I'm trying to think of the last player who wore 21 here. Teddy Donato surely can't be the last guy.

edit: Ference! Was he the last?

 

[False Start]

I'm trying to think of the last player who wore 21 here. Teddy Donato surely can't be the last guy.

Ference?

 

[ODAAT]

I didn`t realize he was at practice which was what led me to think he`d not play until the Dallas game, talk about packing your bags quickly

 

[LouJersey]

The poster wrote "food speed".

Clearly a subliminal typo because of Ritchie's weight.

Ahahaha no it was me, and if it's subliminal it's for my weight lol...I could use a salad.

 

[JCRO]

Ritchie/Henrique/Kase was the Ducks best line last season. This year Eakins broke them up, Ritchie lately was playing with Henrique and Terry. Kase and Ritchie know each other well. I like what they bring together. Kase hounds the puck on the forecheck, Ritchie is strong along the boards and in front of the net.

Thank you for the info!

 

[KrejciWinger]

Two new wingers yet we get another serving of Debrusk + Krejci ...