Razors_Edge

He has always reminded me of Todd Bertuzzi, but now that you mention it Shanahan as well. You can never tell how a pick will turn out there have been some 1st overall picks that were busts. I think Ritchie has the biggest upside if he develops to his full potential. You are correct he will probably go before 6th, but that ok he will be bumping a good player down to us.

The Hockey Writers From the War Room - Eldon MacDonald: A few words on Nick Ritchie: Massive – Nick is just one big guy at 6’3, 229 lb. He can look like Mr. Teddy at times but get him along the boards and it doesn’t take long before Mr. Grizzly shows up. Skills – This is a guy who has all the skills to go with his massive size – Fights, hits, intimidates; power stride, elite wrist shot, excellent hands; drives hard to the net, dominant fore-checker, punishes along the boards. Genes: His brother, Dallas Stars prospect Brett Ritchie, is a favourite of mine. His Dad, Paul, was also coached by former Peterborough Head Coach, Mike Pelino, when he played at Brock University. Potential growth – Like his brother, Brett, Nick’s career has been held back by injuries. I don’t think we have seen anywhere near the potential of Nick just yet. By the way, Brett’s career didn’t really hit stride until after his draft year either. For the teams doing the drafting this year, this is a classic case of “the glass is half full” conundrum. Those teams looking at the potential that Nick has may have him higher than I have at 6th; those teams looking at his injuries as a concern will have him lower. Reminds me of: Rick Nash

Central Scouting's Chris Edwards: "He's a big, physical, tough guy, When he's playing and using his size and strength he's tough to knock off the puck. He goes to the net hard and has that power-forward mentality that's tough for people to handle. He protects the puck and has an excellent shot off the rush." Ritchie's strong play earned him a spot on Team Cherry at the 2014 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in January.

Nick Ritchie - Hockey Canada U18 Camp

I love how the media always has to... I believe Torts probably said trade him or buy him out, Burrows could have easily been traded, there would be no purpose to buying him out. Torts probably felt over the next 5 years Burrows wasn't going to fit in anymore and now would be a good time to move him. But the media probably conveniently forgot the trade him part because that's what media do... Torts probably didn't have a conversation with Green, but I am sure one of his assistants talked to Green almost daily. Torts really wasn't a micro manager Torts could have made the players practise more but, he probably felt bad riding them for extra playing minutes so didn't want to overload them, so he kept them to AV's practise schedule, which was a little light compared to most teams I can see Torts yelling at David Booth, seems like everyone here does, he may as well also. I am glad to see Booth is finally getting over his injuries and was coming on strong at the end of the season Same goes for Burrows, he was a walking fracture last season but was getting back to form at the end. I am looking forward to good seasons from both of them. I believe Linden has a deal done for the GM position and the new GM didn't want Torts, so he is gone. Torts was a good coach its obvious they hired him because they thought the team was a little soft and told him that, so he did his best to try and toughen up the softies, but we needed many more trades to find the players to satisfy Torts I am happy with our core, I think adding a few pieces will do wonders. I hope Kess stays, but if he really wants out, so be it. I believe we will have a great year next year and hopefully Eddie is up to the challenge. Good Luck to Torts I hope he finds a GM and Team suited to his tough love Cheers

actually I assumed MoneypuckOverlord was correct and quoted his stats for Virtanen and Ehlers and added Ritchies I see you are in the Ehlers camp but we most likely to end up with Leon Draisaitl or Michael Dal Colle drafts never go as expected and one of them is likely to drop, if they don't we will take Ritchie, our scouts are pretty smart. Cheers

Yup Richie reminds be of Bert too, man he was a force to be reckoned with until the Moore thing, then he lost his edge. Still a great player though. Until the Moore deal Bert was probably the best power forward we have ever seen and was getting better every year.

You forgot Richie in the equation Richie is currently 6'3 235 Virtannen is currently 6'1 210 Ehlers is 5'11 162 Advantage Richie on size. physical player, Advantage to Richie again, who plays a HARD hitting game, and loves to fight Play making wise, I will give this one to Richie, sees the ice well and a great passer Defensive play both are sound defensive players. Richie gets the edge due to his hard back checking abilities and ability to read the play Richie has speed, size advantage, physical dominance, and the best defensive and offensive game Richie is also an offensive player, who can play a very offensive game, better known for scoring goals, and has the best shot out of these three But Leon Draisatl is our man, he is the most likely to drop from the top 5, although some scouts would still take Richie. Cheers

Amen

Nick Ritchie vs Marc Zanetti http://youtu.be/2z6-JHnFnoo

I like the Redliners report on Virtanen: Only problem is lack of natural hockey sense/offensive instincts – rarely gives up the puck and doesn’t always see open linemates in better scoring position. I am sorry you don't understand paraphrasing, but most people do. Cheers

Buddy, Its a REDLINER REPORT, take it up with them if you don't like it I can't change their report!

Yes I was answering your negative post The Redliners report on Virtanen: said 1:problem is lack of natural hockey sense 2:rarely gives up the puck 3:doesnt always see open linemates in better scoring position." Paraphrased that would be "a puck hog with no hockey sense" Perhaps you would prefer: "minimal hockey sense and doesn't like to pass to his teammates in better scoring position?" You do understand paraphrased don't you??? Nothing you say is going to change what was in the REDLINERS Report I didn't write it so I can't change it for you!!! You really should call them and set them straight!!!! Sorry!!! Cheers

I guess you like word manipulation seeing that is all you are doing. I will repost what I originally said seeing you don't want to look it up! "I like the Redliners report on Virtanen: Only problem is lack of natural hockey sense/offensive instincts rarely gives up the puck and doesnt always see open linemates in better scoring position." What I quoted was from the REDLINERS REPORT perhaps you should write them and overwhelm them with your obvious knowledge on VIRTANEN which they just haven't figured out yet. Moaning to me isn't going to change what they had to say. Cheers

I just paraphrased what the scout said! You do realize they are going to draft who they want and nothing being said here is going to matter at all. Its obvious you didn't like what the scout had to say, or my bringing it to others attention or paraphrasing it when questioned about it. But it is what the scout said. Cheers

Perhaps you should read my first post, I just reported what the scouts said in the Redliner article which was the title of my post. I didn't say no hockey sense, that's what the scout said. I am not bashing anyone, I just thought some people here might be interested in what the scouts were saying.

Well its scouts saying it, but perhaps they are wrong and you are right

Nick Ritchie vs Mitchell Theoret http://youtu.be/pyxo9GUe-eY

So a puck hog with no hockey sense is the answer... I was really hoping for a better answer...

I like the Redliners report on Virtanen: Only problem is lack of natural hockey sense/offensive instincts – rarely gives up the puck and doesn’t always see open linemates in better scoring position. Is that what we really need?

That's why Ritchie is a great fit for us , he has vision, playmaking ability and a great shot probably the best in the draft. It also doesn't hurt he is big, I would sooner have a big guy with those talents as a small guy with them.

The first few seasons the Sedins had, were brutal. I am sure all of the top picks in this draft have a good chance of being great NHLers but Ritchie has the biggest upside in MHOP

Nick Ritchie vs Josh Brown http://youtu.be/dUoai-pCpK0

I have been a Canuck fan since 1970 and have seen it all. Pavel Bure has been our best player ever even Wayne Gretsky said he would have done almost anything to have a chance to play with him! My second favorite is Todd Bertuzzi. When he drove to the net there was no stopping him. Welcome Kassian and hopefully Ritchie a couple of players like that and hockey world look out

Yup he is a kid with a minimal chance of making it. Talent is worth 10% Heart is everything! I feel sorry for the team that ends up with him.