B’s place Ritchie on waivers
Whatever the Bruins were hoping to get out of Brett Ritchie, they didn’t. Their time together appears to have come to a close.
The B’s placed the 6-foot-3 right winger on waivers on Wednesday afternoon, ending his short and uneventful stint with the organization. They signed him to a one-year, $1 million deal on July 1.
Ritchie showed flashes when he played for Dallas, posting 16 goals one season, and while the Bruins perhaps didn’t expect that output, two goals and four assists in 27 games doesn’t get the job done, particularly since he’s also lacked a physical presence.
With no goals and three assists in his past 13 games, Ritchie couldn’t get a spark offensively even with time on the right of David Krejci and Charlie Coyle.
If they make a move to bring in a forward from Providence, the player they choose will be for a specific reason. Trent Frederic has a more physical game, while Karson Kuhlman has speed. Before the latter was injured eight games into the season, he was getting a look at the top six. He’s also a righty, which might give him an advantage since the forward group is already left-heavy, and Ritchie’s departure leaves a gap on the right side.
Anton Blidh and Jack Studnicka
could also be candidates for a call-up.
Halak’s game lacking
Jaroslav Halak was called into duty Tuesday when he should have been resting on the day after he’d already played. The Bruins were shut out regardless, but it’s a backup goalie’s job to be ready and to play when needed.
He wasn’t awful against the Blue Jackets, giving up just three goals, but he certainly didn’t put the Bruins in a position to win, either.
Since Dec. 31, Halak has just a .891 save percentage and a 1-2-2 record. Since his shutout in Buffalo on Dec. 29, he’s allowed four goals in a win over the Jets and then five goals in the atrocious loss to the Flyers before
Tuesday’s three goals allowed to the Blue Jackets.
Carousel spins
Gerard Gallant of the Golden Knights was the latest coach to be dismissed on Wednesday, despite already having been named the coach of the Pacific Division for the All-Star Game next week.
He’ll be replaced in Vegas by Peter DeBeor, who was let go by the Sharks last month.
The Knights said Gallant was let go for performance reasons. They’ve lost four in a row but are 8-6-1 in their last 15 games and just three points out of first place in the Pacific. He is one of seven coaches to be relieved of their duties this season, five of which have occurred due to performance.