Maple Leafs place Nick Ritchie on waivers as forward group returns to full health

Nick Ritchie, Toronto Maple LeafsThe Toronto Maple Leafs have placed Nick Ritchie on waivers just 30 games into his two-year, $2.5 million AAV contract.

Just 26 years old, Ritchie has been a disappointment so far with one goal and eight points in 30 games despite sharing the ice with Mitch Marner as his most common linemate (in fairness, he’s played with Wayne Simmonds only one second less than Marner). Outside of the lack of scoring, Ritchie hasn’t been particularly physical or managed to put his stamp on games when he isn’t producing (which he’s barely done).

Throughout Ritchie’s struggles, the coaching staff has continually kept the message positive – at least publicly – and he has…