Calum Ritchie remains the Colorado Avalanche’s top prospect

Calum Ritchie is the Colorado Avalanche’s unquestioned top prospect. A recent piece from The Athletic looked at every team’s top prospect. For the Avs, Calum Ritchie topped the list, and with good reason.

We got a tantalizing preview of what Calum Ritchie can do. He came into training camp hoping to make a good impression and left with the team when the season began. He impressed during the preseason and turned in a solid performance during his brief NHL stint.

However, a rash of injuries and inconsistent play decimated the Avs early in the season. As such, the Avalanche made the right decision by sending him back to the OHL. But that decision wasn’t an easy one.

After all, Ritchie is way too good for the OHL at this point. Yes, he’s only 19, but he’s already racked up 19 points in 10 games since rejoining the Oshawa Generals. According to Elite Prospects, Ritchie is on pace for 28 goals and 78 assists for 106 points in 56 games this season.

Those are video game numbers.

Unfortunately, as circumstances proved, Ritchie is not quite ready for the NHL. It’s worth keeping in mind that not all high-end prospects are ready for the NHL at 19. Players like Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid are outliers. They were mature beyond their years and hit the ground running at the pro level.

The vast majority of prospects take time to grow and develop into elite players. In fact, teams have made so many mistakes over the years that they’ve figured out what happens when you rush a prospect to the pros.

Calum Ritchie should get a full-time spot next season

It’s a given that Ritchie will tear up the OHL this season. There doesn’t seem to be anyone there to stop him. So, he’ll have his way with opponents.

However, what happens next season? Does Ritchie make the team out of camp again? Does he make the team but start in the AHL and work his way up?

Honestly, it all depends on how this season plays out. The Colorado Avalanche are currently fourth in the Central Division. They are barely clinging to playoff hopes. While it’s still relatively early in the season, the clock is ticking.

Now, let’s assume the Avs miss the playoffs. That situation could accelerate a retool, meaning Ritchie should get an opportunity to play next season.

But if the Avs make the playoffs, regardless of how far they get, Ritchie may have to compete with other veteran players for playing time. As it stands, Ritchie would have to compete with Artturi Lehkonen, Valeri Nichushkin, or Jonathan Drouin for a top-six spot.

Of course, an argument could be made to start Ritchie in the middle six and have him work his way up the lineup. But that’s not the purpose of having a high-end prospect like Ritchie in the pipeline.

The fact of the matter is that having Ritchie gives the Avs the flexibility to make a deal. For instance, the club could deal someone like Jonathan Drouin or Artturi Lehkonen, knowing that Ritchie could take their place next season.

It’s a gamble, but that’s why teams bet high on top-tier draft picks. All signs point toward Calum Ritchie being a winner.