Calum Ritchie Set to Return for Islanders Ahead of Olympic Break Showdown with Devils
Just when it looked like Calum Ritchie would be shelved until after the Olympic break, the 21-year-old forward is making a surprise return to the New York Islanders lineup. Ritchie confirmed Thursday morning that he’ll suit up against the New Jersey Devils in what will be the final game before the league-wide pause.
It’s a welcome boost for the Islanders, who have been without Ritchie for nearly two weeks due to a lower-body injury. Initially, the expectation was that he wouldn't be back until after the break. But here he is, cleared and ready to go-adding a skilled, young presence back into the mix for a key divisional matchup.
Ritchie last hit the ice on January 24 against Buffalo. There was no immediate indication of injury following that game, which made his absence from the lineup two nights later against the Flyers a bit of a head-scratcher at the time. As it turns out, the lower-body issue was enough to sideline him for six games.
In that stretch, the Islanders held their own, going 4-2-0, including a gritty overtime win over the Penguins on Tuesday. Now, with Ritchie back in the fold, the Isles will look to carry that momentum into Thursday’s rivalry tilt with New Jersey.
It’s been a bit of a start-and-stop rookie campaign for the Oakville, Ontario native. He missed the early weeks of the season with another lower-body injury and didn’t make his debut until Halloween. Since then, he’s shown flashes of what made him a key piece in a deadline deal with Colorado-posting seven goals and eight assists through 40 games.
Before his most recent injury, Ritchie had quietly been heating up. He was riding a four-game point streak heading into that last game against Buffalo, showing improved confidence and chemistry in the offensive zone.
The Islanders acquired Ritchie as part of a trade that sent veteran forward Brock Nelson to the Avalanche. The deal brought back Ritchie, defenseman Oliver Kylington, and a couple of draft picks-signaling a bit of a retool on Long Island with an eye on the future.
But for now, Ritchie’s focus is squarely on the present. With the Olympic break looming, Thursday’s game offers a chance to shake off the rust and reestablish his rhythm before the stretch run.
And for the Islanders, getting a young forward back who was starting to find his game? That’s a timely boost.