Boston Bruins: Maybe Nick Ritchie isn’t so a bad option after all

We were quick to jump to the conclusion that the Nick Ritchie deal that saw Danton Heinen depart the Boston Bruins was a bad one. Maybe it wasn’t all that bad though.

Looking more in-depth at what Nick Ritchie brings to the table, he’s not that outwardly different to Danton Heinen at least based on traditional-type statistics. Heinen has likely had totals elevated by virtue of playing for the Boston Bruins, after all.

Nick Ritchie was a 10th overall pick in his draft year meaning there clearly had to be some modicum of talent on display. Heinen, by comparison, was a fourth round (116th overall) pick. That in itself should speak volumes to who has the higher ceiling.

However, as we know, that isn’t always the case in the NHL, especially these days as more and more players graduate without being first-round picks.

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The pair are comparable in one key area; namely their point production since making it to the league. Where they start differing is their style of play; Nick Ritchie is a much bigger body which results in his play being much more typical power forward and less skilled grinder.

Perhaps, the big difference is that the power forward in this case has plenty more upside; he’s likely a great fit with Charlie Coyle, who is also a bigger body.

That line should be able to fulfil both a checking or scoring role if need be; vital versatility for the Boston Bruins in the play-offs.

Nick Ritchie has laid over double the number of hits as Heinen this season and in fact also has less giveaways; takeaways are the key category where the latter outdoes the now Boston Bruins likely third-line winger.

By advanced analytical measures like Corsi and Fenwick scores, Ritchie also trumps Heinen; it’s safe to say he is actually an upgrade at a cut-price, as much as we stated the deal was an over-payment.

Taking time to look more in-depth at their comparative numbers, Nick Ritchie might actually prove a steal. At $1.3 million per year cheaper than Heinen, Nick Ritchie also increases the Boston Bruins chances of being able to renew Torey Krug, Jake Debrusk and others this summer, which will allow us to keep the window open at least another year.

Heinen had stagnated in his role and needed to be moved on; the deal being one-for-one was possibly the only surprise, though in hindsight it was highly unlikely a rebuilding team such as the Anaheim Ducks was ever giving up a draft pick.

Don Sweeney may have actually pulled off a trade that although it doesn’t look like much, could prove genius when we get to the grittier, rougher play-off style of hockey.