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Calum Ritchie takes Pete DeBoer’s Islanders benching message in stride as he sticks on second line

New York Islanders coach Pete DeBoer delivered a clear message to 21-year-old center Calum Ritchie after benching him late in Thursday’s loss to Ottawa, emphasizing the need for improved puck management. Instead of demoting Ritchie from the second line, DeBoer kept him there on Saturday against the Maple Leafs, signaling confidence in his development.

Ritchie, who had gone scoreless in four consecutive games, acknowledged the need to simplify his play, admitting he had been forcing risky offensive moves rather than making smarter decisions. The Islanders’ defensive struggles when Matthew Schaefer is off the ice make turnovers particularly costly, a lesson Ritchie appeared ready to internalize after a penalty and multiple giveaways in Thursday’s game.

DeBoer framed Ritchie’s situation as part of a broader developmental process, comparing him to former prospects Wyatt Johnston and Thomas Harley, who also faced setbacks before improving. Ritchie’s pregame remarks suggested a shift toward more disciplined play, focusing on holding onto the puck and winning battles rather than chasing high-risk opportunities.

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