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Boston Bruins: Assessing the battle for fourth line spots

By jc

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 13: Sean Kurlay #52 of the Boston Bruins skates against the New Jersey Devils at the TD Garden on October 13, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 13: Sean Kurlay #52 of the Boston Bruins skates against the New Jersey Devils at the TD Garden on October 13, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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brett ritchie bruins
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 12: Boston Bruins right wing Brett Ritchie (18) tries to get the handle on the loose puck as New Jersey Devils defenseman Sami Vatanen (45) crashes into New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) during a game between the Boston Bruins and the New Jersey Devils on October 12, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Brett Ritchie

If the Bruins want some extra size on the fourth line, Brett Ritchie is an option. Ritchie signed this summer in Boston after five years with Dallas.

Ritchie has a big 6’4″ frame, and at 220 lbs, he can a tough matchup for smaller defenders. It’s no surprise that he finished with at least 125 hits in three of his five previous seasons.

Given his size, Ritchie can add a different element to Boston’s fourth line. Kuraly, Wagner, and Nordstrom can all grind and play physical, but they’ll never be an imposing force like Ritchie.

There is a major drawback with Ritchie’s size: he’s not a great skater. There’s some question as to whether he’d be able to keep up with a center like Kuraly.

We’ve already seen Ritchie struggle with the pace on the third line this season. And that’s with Charlie Coyle and Danton Heinen, two players who aren’t exactly speed demons.

Nonetheless, Ritchie is an intriguing option who will get opportunities. Dallas picked him in 44th overall in 2011, so Ritchie has some offensive talent. He did, in fact, score 15 goals in the 2016-2017 season.

Cassidy gave Ritchie some looks with Krejci and Coyle so far this season. Expect this to continue until a young player like Anders Bjork gets the call up.

At that point, Ritchie could be a fixture in the bottom-six against bigger teams. Or, if he shows consistent production, he could earn an elevated role.

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