The Anaheim Ducks lost one of their key players as general manager Bryan Murray revealed that forward Nick Ritchie will miss the next 6-10 weeks after spraining his left MCL, according to Orange County Register’s Elliott Teaford. Murray said the injury is similar to the one suffered by defenseman Josh Manson, who is nearing a return.
Ritchie suffered the injury in the team’s loss to the Washington Capitals on Friday after taking a hit from the Capitals’ Radko Gudas early in the game. Ritchie only played in 4:04 of the game and was unable to return to the ice as it was an apparent knee injury.
The news could be considered good news as there were some fears that he might miss the remainder of the season. The injury will likely keep him out until late January at the minimum, meaning a return sometime after the all-star break is the most likely outcome. The 24-year-old has three goals and 10 points in 27 games this season as a top-six winger. The team recalled forward Sam Carrick Saturday as his replacement.