Doubt that a guy whos played in 4 games ~12 minutes a night is the source of Boucher's frustration. Apparently they had a pretty grueling practice this morning, thats probably part of it and I wouldn't be surprised if that isn't the end of it.
erlendssontrib Erik Erlendsson
Ultimately does no good to have Ritola play every 5th game RT @Southshore26 Was that expected? I know Guy said he'd shake it up but.....
erlendssontrib Erik Erlendsson
Not expecting a corresponding call-up, still have 13 fwds on roster RT @tundrafiremedic they should bring up tyrell loved his hustle
Doubt that a guy whos played in 4 games ~12 minutes a night is the source of Boucher's frustration. Apparently they had a pretty grueling practice this morning, thats probably part of it and I wouldn't be surprised if that isn't the end of it.
This is maybe the first time I've heard of Boucher using practice as a response to the previous night's game.
Based on Boucher's quotes I'm not thinking callup so much as trade, and I'm not seeing that as a fix in itself. The problem is intensity, and the implied threat of trade can be a motivator.
This isn't 'Marty, Vinny, Stammer, Moore, Thompson, Hall, Hedman, Brewer, and whoever else feels up to it' night. This is Intensity 4,920.
What sending down Ritola may do is make each player just a little bit more imporant, as they're not going to be swapped out for the Guy Boucher Pressbox Experience. They're either going to Norfolk, or Edmonton. The pressbox has been acting like a safety net, and safety nets aren't INTENSE.
Individual tactics are also more important than team ones, so giving the coaches a little more time with each player may be of benefit there.
Last edited by Felonious Python: 11-02-2011 at 02:51 PM.
I doubt they call anyone up. Ritola is an AHL scorer at best. Not offensive enough for top 6 not defensive enough for bottom 6. I just think he is the last cut
I understand that we have 13 forwards and we're probably not calling anyone up. Id really like to see Tyrell back though.
I thought one if the best things Tyrell did last year was to draw penalties and get us on the pp. this year he's not here and we're getting very few chances.
Not surprised or upset. The Ritola experiment has failed miserably unfortunately. If he makes it back to Norfolk I feel sorry for the rest of the AHL. Norfolk already has the best offense in the league, add in Ritola who is over a point per game player in the AHL and its just not fair.
I also dont think anyone gets called up at this point in time, but I dont doubt for a second Tyrell will be back here sometime in the future this season.
I'm a bit surprised Ritola hasn't made it. He's got the skill and size to be an effective 3rd line winger IMO. What do you think is holding him back?
Pretty much the same reason as in Detroit. Really no open forward spot for him. He's been used as an extra forward that is scratched more than he is in the lineup. Ritola is the kind of player that needs to play often and with consistent linemates, he hasn't been able to get that due to other circumstances. He's got the tools and talent though.
If he clears though, Norfolk is going to be absolutely loaded.
Pretty much the same reason as in Detroit. Really no open forward spot for him. He's been used as an extra forward that is scratched more than he is in the lineup. Ritola is the kind of player that needs to play often and with consistent linemates, he hasn't been able to get that due to other circumstances. He's got the tools and talent though.
If he clears though, Norfolk is going to be absolutely loaded.
Yeah Norfolk is already a strong team offensively, and with Ritola, look out! On the downside they are already overcrowded and if they don't recall anyone it will be harder for guys like Palat and Panik to get playing time.
I honestly don't think Ritola is an NHL player for us. Maybe for another team that can give him top minutes but he looks like a 4A player. When he gets his chances during games he can't ever finish. I'd also rather have Tyrell up here than Jones to reunite the DNA line, although the TNA line (with ol' Tom Pyatt) looks decent enough.
Yeah Norfolk is already a strong team offensively, and with Ritola, look out! On the downside they are already overcrowded and if they don't recall anyone it will be harder for guys like Palat and Panik to get playing time.
That's the benefit of having an ECHL affiliate. Like in Orlando possibly.
According to Bob McKenzie, Mattias Ritola is on $125 waivers which means the Lightning plan to release him. Any word why? Did he refuse to report to Norfolk? Heading back to Europe?
According to Bob McKenzie, Mattias Ritola is on $125 waivers which means the Lightning plan to release him. Any word why? Did he refuse to report to Norfolk? Heading back to Europe?
According to Bob McKenzie, Mattias Ritola is on $125 waivers which means the Lightning plan to release him. Any word why? Did he refuse to report to Norfolk? Heading back to Europe?
I figure he's going back to Europe. Norfolk is pretty jammed right now, and Ritola wasn't reassigned as soon as he cleared, which indicated to me that something was up. I was thinking during this time that it could be to find a team in Europe to take him, or even another AHL team. I did not see Norfolk in the cards for whatever reason, as he'd already be there.
The fact that they held onto him for as long as they did before waiving him, may have also been a sign that they didn't want to give up on him too early, as the alternative was probably Europe for some time, and not the AHL.
SFY also reportedly said something to Guy Boucher to the effect of 'use him or lose him.', which seems more in line with the current situation than just reassignment to the Admirals.
Last edited by Felonious Python: 11-08-2011 at 12:02 PM.
