By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Bruins have made another move ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline, and it involves another piece off the NHL roster. They’re reportedly trading Danton Heinen to the Ducks for winger Nick Ritchie.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and 234 pounds, Ritchie brings an element of size and physicality that Heinen wasn’t going to provide. However he also shoots left, so he doesn’t solve the Bruins’ need for a right-shot right wing either. Ritchie has scored just eight goals and 19 points in 41 games this season, but has dished out 79 hits.
If you watched the Bruins earlier this season with frustration that they had no one in the lineup willing to stick up for teammates and drop the gloves when necessary, Ritchie should solve that issue. But it’s unlikely he’s the kind of piece that puts them over the top as a Stanley Cup contender.
Heinen wasn’t doing much better offensively than Ritchie, with seven goals and 22 points in 58 games. He plays a decent all-around game and does the little things well, but never truly panned out as much more than a third-line wing and emerged as a trade chip in recent weeks.
One notable detail of the Ritchie acquisition is that he saves money. The Bruins will have $1.3 million more in salary cap space next season, with Ritchie making $1.5 million compared to Heinen’s $2.8 million.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
