Bruins Acquire Nick Ritchie From Ducks

The Boston Bruins have made their second trade with the Anaheim Ducks in less than a week. This time it was a one-for-one trade that sees Danton Heinen head to the Ducks for Nick Ritchie.

In 41 games this season with the Ducks, Nick Ritchie has eight goals and eleven assists for 19 points. As per hockey-reference, the left-shot left winger is averaging 14:23 in time on ice per game. He’s posted a Corsi For % of 52.1% while starting 49.4% of his shifts in the offensive zone.

“I’m excited now to go to a contender like Boston and a city like that,” Ritchie told reporters after the trade. “Kind of going from all the way out west to all the way to the east is going to be a really good opportunity for me and I’m really excited to get going with them.”

Ritchie scored four points (2 g, 2 a) in last night’s overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Ritchie’s career-high 14 goals came during the 2016-17 season, when he shot 9.4%. His shooting percentage is currently at 11.4% through 41 contests.

Ritchie provides a strong combination of size, skill and physical intensity. He plays a hard game that appeals to the Bruins organization and fanbase.

“That’s what I do, I drive to the net and win puck battles and hopefully can bring in a few wins down and around the net,” he continued. “Hopefully I can help the team here and I’m going to take pride in playing that big game, winning battles, playing physical and driving to the net for sure.”

Heinen, meanwhile, appeared in 58 games with the Bruins this season. He had 22 points (7 g, 15 a) and averaged 14:11 in time on ice per game. Also per hockey-reference, Heinen has a 48% Corsi For % while starting 56.5% of his shifts in the offensive zone. His CF% Rel of -3.3% is one of the worst on the team this season.

Ritchie, the tenth overall pick in 2014, carries a cap hit of $1,498,925. He is under contract through the 2020-21 season and will join the Bruins for tomorrow night’s game against the Flames.

One added perk for Ritchie with this trade? He joins his brother Brett in the Bruins organization. Brett signed as a free agent on July 1st and is currently in the AHL with the Providence Bruins.

“You know what? We would have been really young,” the young Ritchie said when asked when the last time he played on the same team as his brother was. “I don’t know if we ever were because of the age difference, he’s two years older. It kind of never fit that. We were in other sports like lacrosse, but not in hockey. So it’s cool to be a part of the same team as of right now.”

The Bruins return to the ice tomorrow night against the Calgary Flames at TD Garden.