I saw that coming since the day he signed that contract.
The Leafs have given him every opportunity to establish himself and he hasn't come close to seizing it. It clearly hasn't worked out, but I still don't have a big problem with signing Ritchie given what was known at the time. It's easy to see an alternate path where Bunting doesn't turn into such a home run and Ritchie, shooting closer to his career average, is a decent depth piece. But unfortunately that didn’t happen.
The Leafs have given him every opportunity to establish himself and he hasn't come close to seizing it. It clearly hasn't worked out, but I still don't have a big problem with signing Ritchie given what was known at the time. It's easy to see an alternate path where Bunting doesn't turn into such a home run and Ritchie, shooting closer to his career average, is a decent depth piece. But unfortunately that didn’t happen.
Admittedly I thought it was a decent signing at the time. Fortunately (from my perspective that is), hasn't turned out that way, although Bunting's kind of made up for it by filling in for the role they assumed Ritchie would have.
Admittedly I thought it was a decent signing at the time. Fortunately (from my perspective that is), hasn't turned out that way, although Bunting's kind of made up for it by filling in for the role they assumed Ritchie would have.
Boston not qualifying him was already a red flag at the time, given the Bruins aren't swimming in decent forward depth.
Some of them aren't surprising; Hoffman, Laine, Connor, Ekblad, but I'm surprised by Brendan Smith and Derick Brassard, though they significantly overachieved given their expected chances.
Some of them aren't surprising; Hoffman, Laine, Connor, Ekblad, but I'm surprised by Brendan Smith and Derick Brassard, though they significantly overachieved given their expected chances.
No surprise to see Stammer and Connor with the most goals in that regard
Some of them aren't surprising; Hoffman, Laine, Connor, Ekblad, but I'm surprised by Brendan Smith and Derick Brassard, though they significantly overachieved given their expected chances.
Forgot Tavares hasnt done one this year lul was wondering where he was
As he benefits them in 2 ways by 1. getting them a useable player and 2. Getting them to the cap floor
If not either buyout or packaged off for someone at the deadline. Heck maybe someone waits for him to clear then he is traded as that does tend to happen. Anyways if we got to Dump him wont cost us much as we have seen with more expensive examples making 4.5-5.5mill cost a 2nd but with that 2.5mill deal probs a 4th.
As he benefits them in 2 ways by 1. getting them a useable player and 2. Getting them to the cap floor
If not either buyout or packaged off for someone at the deadline.
They're 110% not claiming him. I can't recall a single time a multi-year contract was claimed off waivers. If something they make 3rd-party retention at the deadline, but claiming a below replacement level forward at 2.5M with an extra year is illogical.
They're 110% not claiming him. I can't recall a single time a multi-year contract was claimed off waivers. If something they make 3rd-party retention at the deadline, but claiming a below replacement level forward at 2.5M with an extra year is illogical.
Heres the thing
Who wants to go to Arizona rn... The answer nobody
Coyotes are gonna have a hard time attracting free agents so why not claim a guy who they can use and has a contract into next season
Coyotes should not care how good this player is as they plan to be bad for a long time
Ritchie making 2.5mill not only fills in a contract spot but helps them reach the cap floor next year
And those 2 outweigh the logic of well you know this contract sucks
Bad teams dont care, there mission tank for the #1OA pick
Who wants to go to Arizona rn... The answer nobody
Coyotes are gonna have a hard time attracting free agents so why not claim a guy who they can use and has a contract into next season
Coyotes should not care how good this player is as they plan to be bad for a long time
Ritchie making 2.5mill not only fills in a contract spot but helps them reach the cap floor next year
There are other ways to reach the cap floor without helping top teams have even more deadline cap space. They're not shy to overpay a FA if need be, see Dmitrij Jaskin. I'll quote you in 24 hours when he clears.
There are other ways to reach the cap floor without helping top teams have even more deadline cap space. They're not shy to overpay a FA if need be, see Dmitrij Jaskin. I'll quote you in 24 hours when he clears.
Teams may just wait for him to clear then make a move as teams are more willing to trade for guys once guys like this clear. One way or another he may end up in Arizona or another team
As I said he probs moves at the deadline or later on teams rn are in no rush to make trades unless they are riddled with injuries or think theres a fit. But later down the road someone may make a trade for him as who knows maybe a conditioning stint in the AHL is all he needs.
Which team could afford Klingberg fo the years to come and could trade for him at the deadline this year?
Well, the Lightning would love Klingberg, but probably can't afford him even for this year, let alone re-sign him. Flames, Bruins and Oilers would probably be interested. Could actually see the Oilers making a push for both him and Khudobin in a package deal.