Anaheim Ducks: 6-Pack of 2018 Summer Predictions
By Ed Stein
Prediction 1 – Bridge Contracts
The Ducks have several restricted free agents (RFA) in their organization. The three major major RFAs are Ondrej Kase, Nick Ritchie, and Brandon Montour. There is a second group of important (but not as necessary) players which have Andy Welinski and speedy Kevin Roy. After the previous five players, anyone else is in a take it or leave it situation.
None of the RFAs have much, if any, bargaining power with Ducks because they are all coming off their respective entry-level contracts. Nick Ritchie is the only RFA that’s played in more than one full NHL season. He has very little leverage after his poor 2017-18 season. Enter the bridge contact.
Rather than entering into a long-term big dollar contract with relatively unproven players, the Anaheim Ducks will sign shorter-term, feel-out deals that will expire before their control of the player expires and work on a more permanent extension at a later date. All RFA’s are getting a team friendly bridge contract.
Prediction 2 – Goodbye Nick
Former 10th overall draft pick in 2014, Nick Ritchie has not impressed people with the start to his NHL career. His low production so far is one reason why. 59 points in 180 games don’t scream budding star. What really, ticks off the Anaheim Ducks and their fans is Ritchie’s lack of composure.
He has a penchant for taking bad penalties at inopportune times. It’s about as bad of a combination that an NHL player can have. A change of scenery could do him some good, but rest assured Murray will get the best deal he can for him.