SALT LAKE CITY — The Islanders acquired Cal Ritchie for the playmaking skills he’s shown in the past and the future projection he could skate productively among the top-six forwards. In the present, though, he’s staying in the lineup because the coaching staff trusts him enough defensively to center the fourth line.
It’s not exactly what either Ritchie or the Islanders expected when he was recalled from their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport two weeks ago as he entered Friday night’s match against the Mammoth at Delta Center without a point and with just four shots in his first seven games. But the learning experience for the 20-year-old should pay dividends when he does earn more ice time.
“I feel you start to feel more comfortable each game,” said Ritchie, acquired from the Avalanche as part of the deal for Brock Nelson on March 6. “I think the biggest thing that I wanted to show this year is that I can handle myself in the defensive zone and try and take care of things structurally. That’s the biggest thing I’ve been trying to focus on. Obviously you want to produce but we’re winning games and I’m playing well structurally.”
Ritchie was averaging 11:46 entering the fourth match of the Islanders’ seven-game road trip, which started 3-0-0 after Thursday night’s come-from-behind 4-3 overtime win in Vegas. His minutes have decreased after being used in a top-six role his first four games as an Islander. But the Islanders entered Friday 5-1-1 with Ritchie in the lineup.
The Islanders next play in Colorado on Sunday night, giving both Ritchie and Nelson their first chances to play against their former teams. The 6-2, 200-pound Ritchie, selected 27th overall in 2023 had one goal in seven games last season for the Avalanche – he scored against the Islanders – before being returned to his junior team, Oshawa of the Ontario Hockey League. He then notched 70 points (15 goals, 55 assists) in 47 OHL games.
For the Islanders, Ritchie had not been on the ice for a goal against through those first seven games, which speaks to his defensively responsible mindset.
“Yeah, he earned my trust defensively,” coach Patrick Roy said. “And I know that the offense will come as well.”
Still, the analytics show there’s obvious room for improvement defensively.
Per NaturalStatTrick.com, Ritchie’s expected goals against was 5.01 compared to his expected goals for of 2.69. He had been on the ice for 37 scoring chances against and 21 for while opponents had 18 high-danger chances with Ritchie on the ice while he had been on the ice for nine high-danger chances for. He was starting 73.3% of his shifts in the offensive zone.
Ritchie was skating between Casey Cizikas, the longtime fourth-line center who has slid to left wing, and Max Tsyplakov.
At 34, Cizikas said he can remember the steep defensive learning curve at Ritchie’s age and stage of his NHL career.
“It can be intimidating at times,” Cizikas said. “But you’ve just got to remember at the end of the day that you’re here as well. You earned your right to be here. You’ve just got to stick to it, to what makes you a special player. That’s the biggest thing for him is don’t lose who he is and continue doing what he’s doing out there because he’s playing some good hockey.
“It’s probably the first time in his career where there’s – I wouldn’t say adversity – but we’re not out there on a regular shift. At times, you could be sitting there for a while waiting and wondering when you’re going to get out there.”
Cizikas also noted Ritchie has been working to improve on faceoffs.
Ritchie entered Friday having won just 38.5% of his draws after winning 2 of 4 against Vegas.
“When you’re playing in this role on the fourth line, you’ve got to find ways to impact the game and create momentum for your team,” Ritchie said. “That’s my main goal right now, playing strong defensively and getting some offensive-zone time and setting up the lines behind us to have some shifts in the O zone.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.