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The acquisition of top prospect Calum Ritchie brightens the NY Islanders future

Ritchie was ranked the best prospect in the Avalanche's organization and one of the best players in the OHL this season
Oct 14, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Calum Ritchie (71) celebrates with the bench after his goal in the first period against the New York Islanders at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Oct 14, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Calum Ritchie (71) celebrates with the bench after his goal in the first period against the New York Islanders at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

It was expected to be a great seller's market for Brock Nelson and it turned out to be.

For the New York Islanders to be viewed as mutual winners in any deal that moved the league's top trade target and one of the best post-dynasty era players in franchise history. GM Lou Lamoriello would not only have to return a first-round draft pick but also a top prospect who will be NHL-ready next season. Mission accomplished, as Calum Ritchie fits the bill.

The 20-year-old was the consensus top prospect for the Colorado Avalanche and is on a development trajectory to become a middle-six center with upside. Prospect expert Scott Wheeler ranked Ritchie 12th among all prospects at the 2025 World Juniors, one spot ahead of the Islanders' 2024 first-round pick, Cole Eiserman. "He’s a well-rounded forward with legit puck skill and an NHL release who excels at both center and the wing," wrote Wheeler before the tournament of Ritchie, an assistant captain for Team Canada.

Ritchie has played in seven NHL games this season with his lone goal coming against the Islanders in the opening minute on Oct. 14th. Drafted 27th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, he has 67 points (14G, 53A) for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) this season. He signed a three-year entry level contract with the Avalanche on Jul. 8, 2024.

In his 2025 prospect pool rankings, Wheeler called Ritchie "the complete package" and has viewed him as arguably the best player in the OHL. "He has quick hands (he’s prolific on breakaways/in the shootout), a dangerous curl-and-drag wrister, decent cleverness to his game as a passer (whether through seams or often blind), slick skill in traffic and out wide sliding pucks under sticks and rotating through coverage or past checks for a player his size, and a knack for finessing pucks into spots for himself or his linemates to skate onto," he wrote in January.

Ritchie brings an exciting blend of size, skill, and hockey IQ to the Islanders' future core. As the team retools for the years ahead, Ritchie’s development, along with Eiserman, Danny Nelson, Quinn Finley, and others, will play a key role in shaping its long-term success.

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