I'm steadily coming to the unfortunate conclusion that Ritchie was a bad trade. He's a NHL-quality player and better than his brother, no question. In the right team he could effectively fill a 3rd line role. But the problem is that he just doesn't suit the Bruins, at all. He's not quick enough, doesn't play with enough intensity, and can neither play a slick passing game nor be much of a finisher. He's not good enough for our 2nd, holds back our 3rd, and wouldn't gel with the style of our 4th.
Ritchie was presumably brought in as a bigger body who can play physical, create space and put some fear in the opposition. The Bruins need those things - Sweeney was correct there - but they need them from a guy who can also skate and, if not create plays, at least take effective part in them. If Ritchie could move like Tom Wilson he'd do that just fine. But he can't, and so it feels like Don has made the error of trying to fill a hole but forgotten that the object used also has to fit in with the game style of the rest of the team, otherwise you end up with a net loss.
What the 3rd line really needs alongside Bjork and Coyle, and has done all season, is a bigger, better version of Kuhlman - someone with speed who may not have top-6 hands or playmaking ability, but has a heavy, effective shot that can finish the plays started by his linemates. Without that, I fear that Coyle's obvious talent is going to continue to be wasted.