[Signing] Flames, Ritchie agree to one year deal, $750,000 / 1 yr

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Probably a 3rd liner, but people have been trying to fill up our top 9 spots in a variety of ways not involving Dube, which really leaves him only one line to fill.

If you see us signing one more top 6 RW, then we have:

Huberdeau-Lindholm- Toffoli/Other RW
Mangiapane-Kadri-Toffoli/Other RW

Then a lot of people want to see Pelletier on the backlund wing. Or Milano now that we have him on a PTO as well. Say Milano.

Milano-Backlund-Coleman

So Dube is left for the 4th line.

If Milano fills the top 6 spot, we bring no rookies up, we still have 3 already signed 4th liners and a PTO out to a better one than Ritchie.

There are no more top 6 RW's left to sign to fill that spot at this point. Rodrigues and Kessel were the names rumored and both are off the board.

The PTO of Milano, and a signing of Ritchie signals to me that they weren't able to add another forward as they had hoped.

[Jiri Hrdina]

I would say the chances of another top 6 RW coming in, at least to start the season, are very slim.

Is it also possible they sign him to a 1 year, 2 way deal. Not a bad guy to have around the kids on the farm. With the team in Calgary, also easy to plug him in with the big team when you need to.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

There are no more top 6 RW's left to sign to fill that spot at this point. Rodrigues and Kessel were the names rumored and both are off the board.

The PTO of Milano, and a signing of Ritchie signals to me that they weren't able to add another forward as they had hoped.

I agree that this is likely the case, but then the outright signing of Ritchie is a strategic error as it eats cap space and fills a roster spot that could potentially be useful in a trade scenario.

If we can't fill that spot immediately but intend to still look (imo this is what has been indicated by recent musings in press conferences) then we should be saving up accumulated cap space for as long as possible to maximize our ability if a trade scenario does materialize.

Look at info coming out of Philly re: Couturier being out for part or all of the season. They could change plans here and maybe players will become available for trade...

[Savvy27]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Knew it! Sutter loves the guy

I get the impression that the players love him too. It's a long season and having glue guys that don't hurt the team is part of it.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Not sure many team would be playing a guy who scored 19 goals on the 4th line. Dube has been identified by Sutter as one of the players in the 23-28 age group who need to improve this season, you don't play him on the 4th line.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I agree that this is likely the case, but then the outright signing of Ritchie is a strategic error as it eats cap space and fills a roster spot that could potentially be useful in a trade scenario.

If we can't fill that spot immediately but intend to still look (imo this is what has been indicated by recent musings in press conferences) then we should be saving up accumulated cap space for as long as possible to maximize our ability if a trade scenario does materialize.

Look at info coming out of Philly re: Couturier being out for part or all of the season. They could change plans here and maybe players will become available for trade...

Ritchie does not eat cap space, or a roster spot. If he earns one of the 13 forward spots, great. If not, you put him on waivers

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I agree that this is likely the case, but then the outright signing of Ritchie is a strategic error as it eats cap space and fills a roster spot that could potentially be useful in a trade scenario.

If we can't fill that spot immediately but intend to still look (imo this is what has been indicated by recent musings in press conferences) then we should be saving up accumulated cap space for as long as possible to maximize our ability if a trade scenario does materialize.

Look at info coming out of Philly re: Couturier being out for part or all of the season. They could change plans here and maybe players will become available for trade...

If it's below burial level it's not eating cap space until he makes the team. He may be being signed as an experienced tweener. Especially since callups are so easy. It's not a roster spot necessarily though it is a contract.

[Sylvanfan]

I wonder what they have to negotiate....like the team needs to get a GM dealer to let him demo a Yukon Denali instead of a more basic Ram 1500?

[dammage79]

Man, here I was all excited that the Brett Ritchie era had ended. Bummer.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Good. I like Ritchie. If I am Sutter, I am telling every kid to work as hard every second of every shift just like Ritchie does. Sure, he isn't skilled, but he is great at what he does. He works hard every shift, and he is an excellent forechecker, and doesn't hesitate to stick up for his teammates.



I do wonder how many games we will see out of him though. My guess is 20 or less. I think there is a bit more competition both from above and coming up from below (guys like Duehr for instance). After losing Gudbranson, circling back to Ritchie isn't the worst idea when Calgary plays teams like Edmonton.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Every team has 13/14 forwards. They are all Brett Ritchie / Cody Eakin types.

It’s a short list of players willing to sit most nights for near league minimum who can step in and do their thing after days and weeks off , limited as it may be.

Like Stone, if the Flames found one who is a good fit for the team and coach and willing to be here, sign that deal every year.

[Bonded]

Gross. I would rather not have him being an option for Sutter

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

Every team has 13/14 forwards. They are all Brett Ritchie / Cody Eakin types...

Exactly. There is no chance at all that the Flames want Pelletier or Ruzicka in this role.


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[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Exactly. There is no chance at all that the Flames want Pelletier or Ruzicka in this role.


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If Ruzicka and Pelletier can't crack the top 3 lines they are better off in the AHL

If Pelletier ends up in the AHL it will be disappointing but too many put too much stock into "starting" the season in the AHL. The Flames have been very lucky with injuries the last couple years. Most guys stayed healthy the last 2 years. Odds are we have injuries and he will get the call at some point during the season.

I'm ok with keeping Ritchie and I'm ok with signing Milano even if it means Pelletier starts in the AHL. Unless he has a huge camp, then he should be on the team

[transplant99]

Im very pleased he might be Flame property another season.

[topfiverecords]

So he signed for $700k in 20-21, and $900k last year. Does he get more or less this year?

This shouldn't really take long to hammer out.

[DoubleK]

Give him $950k.

[CalgaryFan1988]

I like Ritchie and what he brings for the dollar.

[CsInMyBlood]

Awesome news, was getting a little worried he wasn't going to be signed.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by agulati

I don’t know why people would complain. He is a serviceable replacement level player and it’s not like he gets overplayed either. Dressed as a #13/14.

Because people have decided they want zero fighters in the lineup for some reason...

As you noted, he isn't a regular, isn't completely terrible and provides size and intimidation when in the lineup... I like.