Could the Leafs have a deal on the table, pending Ritchie clearing waivers?
Nick Ritchie was placed on waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. It was a move that shocked many, not because of Ritchie's play (which has not lived up to expectations), but because his $2.5 million cap hit is not a bury-able amount.
Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun has reported that the Leafs don't want to lose Ritchie and instead want him on the taxi squad. Although that may be the case, I still think there's a chance that the Leafs will look at moving the 26-year-old forward after he clears waivers.
Trading for a player after they clear waivers is not an unprecedented move. We saw it this season when the Leafs traded future considerations to the St. Louis Blues for Kyle Clifford. We also saw it last season when the Leafs acquired Alex Galchenyuk from the Carolina Hurricanes.
Trading for a player after they have cleared waivers has its benefits, such as the ability to call players up and send them down to the taxi squad or the minors without them needing to clear waivers for 30 days.
If Ritchie clears, a team can do the same with him. Although the Leafs may want to keep him, a trade may be the best option for both sides. Moving on from Ritchie would give the Leafs an extra $2.5 million in cap space to work with as they look to upgrade their roster at the trade deadline. Even more, due to accrued cap space if they operate under the cap.
Meanwhile, Ritchie would likely benefit from a change of scenery, because his time in Toronto has been lackluster, despite being given every opportunity to succeed.
Ritchie is 6'3 and plays a physical game. He's also a former top-10 pick. The main return in a Nick Ritchie trade for the Leafs would be cap space, but getting something like a mid round draft pick and/or a reclamation project is better than losing him for nothing.
It's unfortunate that his time in Toronto has unfolded the way it has, but perhaps a change of scenery will be good for Ritchie.
