Arizona Coyotes Adding Nick Ritchie Fits Well For Their Rebuild

The Arizona Coyotes obtained big forward Nick Ritchie on Saturday for defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin and forward Ryan Dzingel. The Coyotes will also receive the Toronto Maple Leafs 2023 third-round pick or 2025 second-round pick. In Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong‘s press release he stated, “We are excited to have Nick join our roster,” said Armstrong. “He is a big, tough, strong winger who will add depth and physicality to our forward group. “We thank Ilya and Ryan for all their contributions to our club and wish them all the best in the future.”

Nick Ritchie Brings Size to the Forward Line

The NHL lists Ritchie at 6′-3″, 236 pounds. If he teams up with Lawson Crouse who is 6′-4″, 220 pounds, the times where the Coyotes smaller forwards were intimidated should decrease significantly. Liam O’Brien is another player who doesn’t back down from a confrontation.

Nick RItchie is no stranger to the penalty box as he has accumulated 410 minutes in 383 career NHL games. This season he has not been that visible with just two goals, seven assists in 33 games. He was placed on waivers on January 6th, but cleared and was sent down to the AHL by the Leafs. Waiving Ritchie was more of a salary cap issue than his level of play.

His physical game can only help the Coyotes become a team that other teams fear rather than push around. He is only 26 years old and is signed through next season at $3.3 million. Armstrong’s rebuild surely has Ritchie involved as a key player. With all the draft picks the team has acquired, he just added another to his treasure chest of future talent on the ice.

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Comparing Ritchie to Crouse

While neither player is an offensive star, they have their roles and fill them well. Crouse has 966 hits in 329 games and has averaged 0.30 points per game. Ritchie has 967 hits in 383 games and has averaged 0.38 points per game.

Crouse has really picked up his game this season and is on pace for about 40 points, which would be a career high. Ritchie is only on pace for about 22 points since he really hasn’t played much this season. That should change as it seems Armstrong wants to see what he can do if playing regularly. If he can get back to his stats of 2019-20 where he gathered 15 goals, 11 assists in 56 games, the trade will be a rewarding decision.

Draft Picks Are Building Blocks For The Future

Bill Armstrong made this deal to add more draft picks for the future. It has been his goal since he arrived in Arizona. He’s building the team’s possibilities to move forward and become a competitive team. It takes time, and fans must be patient. Building a winner doesn’t happen overnight. Adding Nick Ritchie will certainly help, but make no mistake this deal was more about getting another draft pick.

Armstrong is far from finished. Just like the ASU multi-purpose arena (where the Coyotes will play starting next season), is becoming a reality, the rebuild is going full force. Hopefully, Nick Ritchie will be an integral part of the rebuild. Add in some talented draft picks like Dylan Guenther and there is reason to be excited about the Arizona Coyotes future.