The New York Islanders have used the preseason to see which gamers may play an important half in the course of the 12 months, and one participant that has stood out is Cal Ritchie. He was making strides the previous few weeks, however that stopped of their preseason finale when he needed to exit the sport resulting from a lower-body harm.
Head coach Patrick Roy shared an replace on Ritchie after the finale.
“Day after day,” Roy stated. “He’ll see our physician tomorrow.”
The Islanders have already got 4 solidified centermen on their roster, however the best way that Ritchie has been enjoying the previous few weeks, he has been making it exhausting for them to maintain him off the staff.
“There’s gonna be essential choices for us to make, however I’m very pleased with him,” Roy stated. “No matter choice we’re gonna make, he did what he needed to do to make an impression. Makes our choice extraordinarily troublesome.”
Ritchie not too long ago spoke about how properly he had been enjoying throughout coaching camp and the preseason, and who he is been working alongside to assist enhance his sport.
“It’s been nice, clearly,” Ritchie stated through Eyes on Isles. “You get an opportunity to play with guys like [Casey] Cizikas and [Kyle] Palmieri in video games, and each shift you’re studying. You’re coming again to the bench speaking about what simply occurred, and also you’re selecting up issues every single day from these guys.
“Final 12 months, I used to be struggling loads within the D-zone, giving up possibilities. This 12 months, I really feel far more snug in our construction, closing on guys and never giving up a lot defensively.”
There is no doubt that Ritchie appears like a distinct participant this 12 months, and the hope is that he can return to the ice sooner slightly than later so he can proceed to make a big effect.