Islanders Prospect Making Management's Decision Tough

“I think we want him to play as much as possible, and we'll go from there," Roy said to Rosner. "What he's doing right now is just making our decision so much tougher. I don't think he came here just to make an impression. I think he wants to make the team.”

The Avalanche drafted Ritchie in the first round (27th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, after he had a tremendous draft year in the OHL, with the Oshawa Generals, recording 59 points in 59 games, in what was his sophomore season in the junior ranks.

Ritchie is best described as an intense two-way presence who has the awareness to slow down and connect plays between his linemates, but he also can explode through the neutral zone using great speed and edges to transport the puck to high-danger scoring areas. He is a mature two-way center who is strong in the faceoff dot and covers his man well.

In his preseason debut, Ritchie recorded a goal and an assist, both coming on the power play, in a game where the Islanders lost 6-2, but the Calder Trophy race hopeful was a mainstay on the top power play unit.

With seven NHL games to his name, Ritchie has had a mere cup of coffee in the NHL, but the Islanders could benefit from a player with his talents in the lineup. After missing out on the second Wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference by nine points last season, they will be motivated to get off to a good start.

There will be tremendous internal competition with many veterans occupying the Islanders' forward spots, but it's a good problem to have. Either a trade will have to be facilitated, or Ritchie will find himself down in Bridgeport and on a shortlist for the first call-up of the season.