Seattle Kraken should take a chance on Nick Ritchie
Good Fit for the Seattle Kraken
Something has gone awry for Nick Ritchie between this season and last. Whatever it may be, it is possible that Toronto just isn’t the place for him. The Seattle Kraken, however, could be a great fit for the Orangeville, Ontario native. With Brandon Tanev out for the remainder of the season, this could be a great chance for the Kraken to find a player who could fill his shoes and give Ritchie a fresh start with more opportunities.
Ron Francis built a roster that could play an aggressive game of hockey. He drafted hard-hitting guys who could hold their own on the ice and brought physicality to the table. While Nick Ritchie may not have the same energy as Tanev, the seven-year NHL veteran is a very rough and tumble kind of player. He isn’t afraid to utilize his body and be a pest to the opposing team.
A clean sheet of ice
When put in the right situations, Ritchie has proven that he can be a productive player. That is something the Seattle Kraken doesn’t have in spades right now. Adding Ritchie to the fold gives head coach Dave Hakstol the opportunity to mix things up. It also gives him another resource to utilize in an attempt to increase Seattle’s production.
Ritchie has also proven in the past that he is an incredible play driver. Despite the step back this year, he has shown greater maturity over the last few seasons. He leads his team with his physicality and big body and can produce offensively. If he remains disciplined, Ritchie has the potential to be a crucial part of any line-up.
Nick Ritchie has proven in the past that he does well with adapting to change. It seems that both he and Seattle are in the market for a little bit of change. As the Seattle Kraken prepares to take the ice after a brief hiatus, claiming the power-forward off of waivers could be a big difference-maker for their roster.
Related Story: Replacing Brandon Tanev
Do you think the Seattle Kraken should take a chance on Nick Ritchie? Let us know in the comments below!