Anaheim’s Nick Ritchie will make his NHL debut tonight in Carolina, and the 19-year-old will do it on a line with Ryan Kesler and Chris Stewart.
So much for easing the rookie into The Show. That’s the second line.
“He’s a big guy and we want to see what he can do,” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau told the club’s website. “If you bring up your prized rookie from the minors, you don’t want to play him six minutes. You want to see if he can play. He’s done a great job in the AHL, so we’re giving him the opportunity here.”
The 10th overall pick in the 2014 draft, Ritchie has nine goals in 12 games for AHL San Diego. He was called up Saturday, along with center Michael Sgarbossa.
The Ducks desperately need some more offense. They’ve scored an NHL-low 28 goals in 17 games.
