Three Anaheim Ducks who need to step up in 2018-19
By Kennyth M
2 – Nick Ritchie, Left Wing
Why he needs to step his game up – Nick Ritchie appeared to regress at times during his third season. His goal scoring dipped to 10 after posting a solid 14 as a sophomore. Like everyone else in a Ducks sweater, his playoffs were even worse. Ritchie didn’t score a single point and he took some ridiculous penalties. His lack of discipline, which was encouraged by our captain’s own lack of restraint, cost the Anaheim Ducks dearly during the season.
In spite of the negatives Ritchie went through last season, and there are many, there was much to be encouraged by. I have touched on several of the aspects when I wrote about how Ducks fans should give Ritchie a chance. To quickly summarize, he performed very well once placed on a line with a capable center and he used his frame to impact the play on nights he didn’t appear on the score sheet.
The former 10th overall pick needs to take his game to another level though. Tom Wilson, who has a nearly identical career arch as Ritchie, finally developed an offensive game to go along with his physical presence. Washington doesn’t win the Stanley Cup if Wilson didn’t step his game up. Nick Ritchie has the ability to create a similar impact for the Ducks and Randy Carlyle must find a way to help him do so.
His role on the Ducks – Conventional wisdom has Ritchie returning to a line with Henrique and Kase. During a stretch last season, they were Anaheim’s best line and Ritchie was a huge part of their success. The trio had great chemistry from the get-go, so a full preseason will hopefully help them have a more consistent impact.
It is highly possible Ritchie is removed from the line in favor of Corey Perry. Perry is going to play on a scoring line and Kase has the ability to play LW. In this scenario, Ritchie will be battling Cogliano to play opposite of Silfverberg and it’s a good situation for him.
Silfverberg played his best hockey during the 2014-2015 postseason on a line with power forward Matt Beleskey. Belesky, who had a breakout campaign, used an above average shot and physical presence to help his line achieve elite offensive production. Ritchie possesses a higher skill set than Beleskey and can create a dynamic pairing with Silfverberg. In either scenario, Anaheim needs Ritchie to step his game up and produce to his abilities.
Forcast – The only thing standing in Ritchie’s way is himself. His lack of control on the ice is only overshadowed by his apparent lack of motivation off of it. I believe Ritchie rectifies both and takes the next step in his development.
I believe Ritchie will score more than 15 goals next season and I wouldn’t count out a 20+ goal campaign. He will be a key member of the second power-play unit and will once again finish inside the top 10 leaguewide in hits. In the playoffs, I see him taking his game to another level and start to resemble the player Anaheim thought they selected with the 10th overall pick.