Insider links former Maple Leafs forward to the St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues have been flat out awful this season - let's just get that out of the way right at the start. With a record of 4-8-0 and having amassed just 8 points so far this season, the Blues currently sit in a tie for dead last in the league with the Columbus Blue Jackets. For a team who won the Cup just a few short seasons ago and who still have most of the same core, that simply isn't good enough.
Something has to give in St. Louis this season. I highly doubt that GM Doug Armstrong blows up the team and legitimately enters the Connor Bedard sweepstakes this summer. It seems far more likely that the team either finds their way out of the early-season funk that they're in, or Armstrong picks up the phone and makes a few roster tweaks to try to get his team going.
During the most recent 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman touched on the Blues' current situation and what he thinks they could be in the market for. Not surprisingly, Friedman pointed to their blueline as an area that they could look to shore up, but he also touched on a feisty forward that they might be interested in. The forward also happens to be a former Leaf.
"I think [Doug Armstrong] is looking for D, I think he's looking for some bite... would someone like Nick Ritchie make sense for the Blues?"
-Friedman on who might be a fit for the Blues
-Friedman on who might be a fit for the Blues
Ritchie didn't ever find his stride during his time in Toronto, despite seeing opportunities as high up as the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. The Orangeville, ON native did find some success after landing in Arizona last season, notching 14 points in 24 games for the Coyotes. He's also looked good to start this season as well, boasting 6 goals and 2 assists for 8 points in 13 games.
Ritchie is in the final year of a 2-year, $5M contract that he signed with the Leafs in 2021. He carries a $2.5M cap hit this season and is free to explore free agency again in July.
https://twitter.com/NHL_Watcher/status/1591122075032354885?s=20&t=fkStKGuYmrLW8RLTRYbfCg
https://twitter.com/NHL_Watcher/status/1591122075032354885?s=20&t=fkStKGuYmrLW8RLTRYbfCg
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 11 | 69 ANSWERS Insider links former Maple Leafs forward to the St. Louis Blues Do you think the Blues will make a move - or will they right the ship without having to make a trade? | ||
| They'll figure it out without making a move | 25 | 36.2 % |
| They need to shake things up | 44 | 63.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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