The Islanders should have the luxury of time with Cal Ritchie, and it appears they plan to use it.
Ritchie, the 20-year-old from Brampton, Ontario, was the centerpiece of the Brock Nelson deal and, over the long term, projects as a top-six centerman for the Islanders.
In the immediate, though, general manager Mathieu Darche doesn’t sound ready to rush Ritchie to the NHL.
“Well, it’s a process. I want them to have an NHL career, not play games,” Darche said this week in an appearance on The Sheet with Jeff Marek. “It’s not a race, whoever plays his first game or his first 20 games. Having said that, play at training camp. Yes, we have a lot of forwards, and if Cal comes to training camp and outplays everyone, I’ll make room for him on the roster.”
