Seattle Kraken should take a chance on Nick Ritchie
Beantown Revival
His lack of discipline seemed to be his undoing in Anaheim, despite having the best season of his career in 2018-19 and continuing that success into the following season. However, his talent seemed to better suit the Boston Bruins than it did with the Anaheim ducks.
In his first full season with the Bruins (2020-21), he put up 26 points in 56 games, including a new career-high with 15 goals. The fast-paced, hard-hitting, gritty game played by the Bruins was a great fit and offered him a new start.
The only one we needed.
Nick Ritchie's second-period goal was the winner and your @JagermeisterUSA Shot of the Game! pic.twitter.com/iw4MrP1zlc
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 13, 2021
Toronto Fall
Ritchie cleaned up his game a bit, as well. Instead of being a hindrance to his team by sitting in the penalty box after taking a dumb penalty, he utilized his skills on the ice in a more productive way. It seemed like he was starting to scratch the surface of the talent that made him a top ten pick.
Ritchie and the Boston Bruins decided to part ways at the end of his contract, allowing him to test the waters in free agency. He signed a two-year deal with Toronto at an AAV of $2.5M. His tenure north of the border started out promising, playing alongside teammate and NHL superstar Auston Matthews. However, his lack of production, common mistakes, and lackluster energy on the ice soon found him on the fourth line. That’s a bad combination in any city, but it’s unforgivable in the hockey fishbowl of Toronto.