On Saturday, New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello provided an update on the game plan for new top prospect Calum Ritchie.
"He's a top prospect, and I feel very fortunate for the organization, that we were able to get the quality player who plays that position, and is able to basically come right into the lineup (next season)," Lamoriell said. "We'll have him practice (after his final junior season), hopefully he goes through the whole Memorial cup run, and so he's playing as long as he can.
Islanders Plan For New Top Prospect Calum Ritchie
The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/islanders-general-manager-lou-lamoriello-on-his-trade-deadline-decisions-future-plans">New York Islanders</a> have a new top prospect named Calum Ritchie, who they acquired from the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/brock-nelsons-first-interview-as-a-member-of-the-avalanche">Colorado Avalanche</a> in their trade for <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/brock-nelsons-first-interview-as-a-member-of-the-avalanche">Brock Nelson</a>.
"But we will not burn the year on him. He will not play, and won't be able to play in the American League as well. So development camp, and then, yes, training camp."
Ritchie made the Colorado Avalanche out of training camp, scoring one goal through seven games before being sent back to juniors for his final season with the OHL's Oshawa Generals.
Why seven, we are not so sure. But had Ritchie played in 10 NHL games, his entry-level contract (ELC) would have begun, which meant the Avalanche -- now the Islanders -- would have lost a year of control.
But, given that he only played in seven games, with the max being 10, that means Ritchie is still eligible to play in two more NHL games.
Ritchie is ineligible to join the Islanders until after his OHL season is completed, so can't he just come up and play a few after?
The problem is that the OHL schedule doesn't work time-wise with the Islanders' remaining schedule.
If the Islanders miss the playoffs, their season will come to a close on Apr. 17 in Columbus against the Blue Jackets.
Last season, the OHL Playoffs began on March 29. In theory, the first round could be completed by Apr. 1.
But, given Oshawa's season, currently ranked second in the East Division, they'll hope they can get past the first round and go on a deep run.
The second round began on Apr. 12, with a best-of-seven series ending on Apr. 19.
Last season, Ritchie and Oshawa were swept in the OHL Championships by fellow Islanders' prospect Isaiah George and the London Knights.
Had Oshawa won the OHL Championships, they would have qualified for the Memorial Cup, which didn't get underway until May. 24.
So, a long playoff for Ritchie wouldn't allow him to play with the Islanders.
If the Islanders found a way to make the playoffs, Ritchie could play in two playoff games before the club would have to burn a year off his ELC.
But, the playoffs don't seem realistic at this point in time, and if they qualified, it's not a guarantee that Ritchie would get in the lineup.
It's still incredibly beneficial for Ritchie to practice and be around the team, like Lamoriello said.
We'll see how Ritchie's OHL concludes but the organizational hope is that he'll be playing as long as possible.
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