It was bound to happen. The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed left winger Nick Ritchie, who carries a cap hit of $2.5 million for this season and next, on waivers today. Ritchie has one goal and eight points in 30 games this season. He started the season with the opportunity of a lifetime next to Matthews and Marner, but he’s slowly and painfully creeped his way down the lineup into the 13th forward spot.
If he gets claimed, the Leafs will have escaped from his cap-squeezing contract for good. Should he clear, he’ll likely be sent to the Toronto Marlies, with $1.