Pucks of a Feather
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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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#3 Sam Steel

Anaheim Ducks
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

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