Ducks recall Nick Ritchie and Michael Sgarbossa; Simon Despres still out
Forward Nick Ritchie was called up by the Ducks with defenseman Simon Despres out with concussion symptoms.
The Ducks recalled left wing Nick Ritchie and center Michael Sgarbossa and confirmed that defenseman Simon Despres remains out with concussion symptoms.
Ritchie, 19, their top draft pick from 2014, was tied for third in the American Hockey League with nine goals in 12 games. He could make his NHL debut when the Ducks begin a four-game trip Monday.
The Ducks have 28 goals in 17 games and their top-four scorers from last season have a combined six goals.
“The thing [the recall] says to me is, ‘Hey, we mean business here,’” Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau said. “We’ve got guys that aren’t playing as well as they could.”
General Manager Bob Murray said in a statement that Despres still has symptoms from a hit by Colorado’s Tyson Barrie on Oct.16 and won’t take contact for another one to two weeks. Despres, one of their best defensemen, skated on his own Saturday.
“Today was the first step towards getting back in the lineup,” Murray wrote. “He’s not there yet and needs some more time.”
The Ducks put Chris Wagner on waivers for the purpose of reassigning him. Max Friberg and Korbinian Holzer were reassigned.
Follow Curtis Zupke on Twitter @curtiszupke
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