Islanders know getting Cal Ritchie to NHL isn't 'a race'

The Islanders should have the luxury of time with Cal Ritchie, and it appears they plan to use it.

Ritchie, the 20-year-old from Brampton, Ontario, was the centerpiece of the Brock Nelson deal and, over the long term, projects as a top-six centerman for the Islanders.

In the immediate, though, general manager Mathieu Darche doesn’t sound ready to rush Ritchie to the NHL.

“Well, it’s a process. I want them to have an NHL career, not play games,” Darche said this week in an appearance on The Sheet with Jeff Marek. “It’s not a race, whoever plays his first game or his first 20 games. Having said that, play at training camp. Yes, we have a lot of forwards, and if Cal comes to training camp and outplays everyone, I’ll make room for him on the roster.”