Anaheim Ducks: Top Five Players to Replace Nick Ritchie

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SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 18: Anaheim Ducks left wing Nick Ritchie (37) controls the puck as he brings it up ice in the second period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks on April 18, 2018, at SAP Center in San Jose, CA (Photo by Samuel Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Anaheim Ducks 2018-19′ training camp roster has officially been released. 64 names are vying for coveted spots on the Ducks opening night roster. And with one notable omission of the 64 names, it opens up quite the competition.

Friday, September 14th is a day that can’t come soon enough for Ducks fans. After an eternity of a summer training camp finally begins for the 2018-19′ season. And last night the Ducks released their 64 man roster that will be in camp. No PTO’s were added, no real surprises in names with the exception of one. RFA forward Nick Ritchie remains unsigned and per tweets from The Athletic’s Eric Stephens “discussions are ongoing but nothing is imminent”.

With that in mind, it seems highly unlikely Ritchie will be in camp when it opens Friday and could be a hold-out into the season. This leaves a hole to fill on the Ducks third line and there are numerous candidates looking to play alongside Adam Henrique and Ondrej Kase. So here are five options the Ducks could look at on the third line ranking from who I’d like to see least to most.

#5. Brian Gibbons

LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 17: Brian Gibbons #39 of the New Jersey Devils passes the puck during a game against the Los Angeles Kings at STAPLES Center on March 17, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

Brian Gibbons was one of the few free agent signings by the Ducks this summer. Gibbons was once a great college player for Boston College but has struggled to find the same level of success in the NHL. Bouncing between the NHL and AHL ever since he broke into the league in 2011 with numerous teams including the Penguins, Blue Jackets, and Devils. He is coming off a 26 point campaign in 59 games with the Devils last year. Both those stats were career highs for Gibbons and landed him a 1yr 1 million dollar deal with the Ducks this season. As much as I didn’t see the need for the signing it also isn’t going to hamstring the Ducks. It’s only a million on the cap and he comes off the books next season if he doesn’t pan out.

Gibbons best quality is his speed which does fit in line with Henrique and Kase and his 12 goals last season showed he does have some scoring knack at the pro level. Gibbons is the best of the free agent forwards the Ducks brought on but he is appearing on this list only because Randy Carlyle is the head coach. Carlyle’s MO, unfortunately, is playing veterans over rookies and that could land Gibbons on the roster. However, the mandate from Ducks brass is to play fast and have fast players. There are faster, better, and younger players in Ducks camp.

Let’s hope you can teach an old dog in Carlyle new tricks.

Chances of making the team 4/10. Because of Carlyle.

#4 Chase De Leo

WINNIPEG, MB – MARCH 22: Chase De Leo #77 of the Winnipeg Jets keeps an eye on the play during the first-period action against the Vancouver Canucks at the MTS Centre on March 22, 2016, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets defeated the Canucks 2-0. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /

In a very minor trade, this summer the Ducks shipped out one SoCal native to bring back another. Nic Kerdiles was sent to the Winnipeg Jets for La Mirada’s own Chase De Leo. De Leo had great numbers during his four-year stint with the Portland Winter Hawks of the WHL. In 279 games he posted a 110-141-251 line. Two of the four years he eclipsed 80 points per showing growth as he went. He hasn’t shown that same production at the pro level posting 30-40 points a season in his 3 years with the Manitoba Moose. Those points show decent production at the AHL level and only ever playing in two games for the Jets he has never really been given a shot at the NHL.

I am not sure what De Leo really offers is better than the young rookies the Ducks posses but he should be given a long look in camp. To be honest, if he ends up in San Diego he could be playing with some stars. And I wonder if playing with better team-mates turns in a better point production for the 22-year-old De Leo. He is almost a decade younger than Gibbons so should be given a good look.

He most likely spends the year in San Diego but could be a call-up due to injury.

Chances of making the team: 4/10

#3 Sam Steel

ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 29: Prospect Sam Steel skates down the ice during the Anaheim Ducks’ annual development camp at Anaheim ICE in Anaheim on Friday, June 29, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register via Getty Images) /

Truthfully I would’ve had Sam Steel on this list regardless of anything. The points he put up with the Regina Pats proved he is a stud prospect and deserves a chance at the pro level. Then I watched Steel participate in the Rookie Showcase in Vegas this past weekend. And it was clear, he is head and shoulders above the competition. Steel made plays all over the ice, showed off his speed, scoring prowess, and playmaking ability. It seemed every time he touched the puck the Ducks were a threat to score and he was dangerous from everywhere on the ice. He was on a line alongside Max Comtois and Troy Terry and as much as I would love for that to be a line for the Ducks I think Comtois could spend a year in San Diego. And placing Steel with someone as fast as he is in Kase and a skilled steady veteran in Henrique would be huge.

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Steel is still just 20 years old and will only continue to get better and better. Sure if he stays with the Gulls he’ll get top line minutes. But Henrique’s line gets regular shifts giving Steel plenty of ice time. On top of that Steel is a power play weapon and could ultimately be placed on the Ducks top unit. He also allows the Ducks to roll at least three scoring lines and gives them a much more offensive option than Nick Ritchie. Steel needs to be challenged and I’m not sure if the AHL will do that for him. If he plays like he did during the rookie showcase I’m not sure how you keep him off the roster. The last time the Ducks wanted to give big-time prospects a full year in the AHL their play wouldn’t let them.

They were named Ryan Getzlaf an Corey Perry. And a season later they won the Stanley Cup. Foreshadowing?

Chances of making the team: 7/10

#2 Kevin Roy

EDMONTON, AB – JANUARY 4: Kevin Roy #63 of the Anaheim Ducks lines up for a face off during the game against the Edmonton Oilers on January 4, 2018, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

I wrote last week on how Kevin Roy needs to get a real shot. He proved in his limited action last year that he can play at this level and be productive. Seven points in his first 25 games are nothing to sneeze at and it still baffles me how he wasn’t afforded another opportunity last year. I don’t think Roy gets them past San Jose last year but he is a significantly better option than Jason Chimera. Roy like Steel and the number one choice on my list can be power-play threats as well. The Ducks power-play has been much maligned in the last few years and adding some skill guys to the unit can only improve it. Your power-play doesn’t need to be number one in the league but it should be top 10. Especially with the team the Ducks have. It could’ve been a game changer if it was rolling in last years playoffs.

It’s true that Roy isn’t the biggest forward out there standing only at 5’9″ and would be on a line with Henrique and Kase. The line itself would be undersized but for the way, the NHL is going this isn’t as big of a problem. The league is moving towards small fast skill players and that description fits this line to a tee. Roy would give Henrique another winger with a nose for the net and one that doesn’t mind going in the corner. When you can roll more than just two scoring line threats you are a much more dangerous team. Roy would give the Ducks just that. As well as giving him added experience as he could be a key cog in the future of this franchise.

And as I wrote in my Roy centric piece, if not now when for him?

Chances of making the team: 8/10

#1 Troy Terry

GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 07: Troy Terry #61 of the Anaheim Ducks skates the puck up ice against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on April 7, 2018, in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Troy Terry should get his shot this year. There are no if’s and’s or but’s about it. Terry played with Sam Steel and Max Comtois last weekend in Vegas. And just like Steel Terry was head and shoulders above the competition. Whether he was facilitating to linemates or controlling the tempo on the power-play Terry looked far away better than the rest. He was impressing in rookie camp in the days leading up to the rookie showcase and seems ready to show he belongs. Terry could be an option for a fourth line spot as well if the Ducks deploy a Duckling line but think he is better served on the Ducks third line. He helps two already established players in Henrique and Kase and brings an element that no one else can. He is a big body and plays like it. And reports are he used the off-season to add even more bulk to his size. The league is trending more towards speed and away from grit but Terry has both assets and brings that to a line that lacks it

He can create space for Kase and Henrique and has great scoring touch on his own. He won’t be knocked off the puck easily and is great at using his speed as a weapon but also slowing the game down and being just as dangerous. Terry is beyond skilled but his desire to be in the NHL and the fact he has won at every level he’s played at show innate intangibles you just can’t teach. Terry has a fire and plays with it night in and night out. This is something you’re born with and for a young player, it’s something the Ducks should be extremely excited about. Terry and Ritchie both play physical styles but Terry has much more hockey IQ and a better skill set. Look for Terry to be on this line and be a huge x-factor for the Ducks this season.

For a 5th round pick, Terry could be the steal of the draft, only time will tell.

Chances of making the team: 9/10

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