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Anaheim Ducks: Top Five Players to Replace Nick Ritchie

By Chris Bushell

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 16: Nick Ritchie #37 of the Anaheim Ducks skates with the puck against the San Jose Sharks in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 16, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Nick Ritchie
SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 16: Nick Ritchie #37 of the Anaheim Ducks skates with the puck against the San Jose Sharks in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 16, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Nick Ritchie /
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#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)
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

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