Quoting: BruinsCharlies
Don't devalue what Ritchie has done this year by saying his biggest asset is DeBrusk stinks. Ritchie, although far from perfect is a top9 because his assets include size, good hands and some toughness. He has earned it. The biggest asset of DeBrusk stinking is that we went out and got Hall, a legitimate and much better top6 than DeBrusk.
If they weren't going to protect Frederic, they would have traded him. He was injured and then healthy scratch. I like Ritchie, but he is barely a top 9 forward. He is a big body with decent hands. His biggest asset was Debrusk being terrible, or he doesn't end up in top 6. Since Hall got to Boston, Ritchie has been on 4th line frequently. If Debrusk Produces at all, Ritchie is on the 3rd line to start the year and his production is much lower.
Also - I don't think he can play better consistently. He gets a lot of garbage goals - which is good. This year was his ceiling IMO. 15-20 goals max. I may agree, although I need to see more that Rithcie has a higher offensive potential, but Frederic will be a better all around player.
For as big and tough as Ritchie is, he is letting Frederic fight Wilson while he fights Matt Irwin.
IMO Ritchie is a guy you let score 15 and hope someone else falls in love with him - much like Beleskey.
Would you rather have Beleskey or Greg Campbell?