Ritchie was acquired from the Ducks on Monday and will make his debut tonight vs. the Flames. Ritchie is coming off of a four-point performance in his last game with the Ducks and has 19 points (8G / 11A) in 41 games this season. He'll skate on the third line with Charlie Coyle and Anders Bjork.
Meloche did not play a game during his call-up and returns to the AHL, where he has just six assists in 38 games this season.
The Flyers added two forwards at the deadline (Derek Grant and Nate Thompson) so they'll send Farabee back to the AHL "for now." GM Chuck Fletcher said that he wants "to make sure we’re giving Joel all the ability to be the player he can become. He’s only 19. He’s been a big part of our team but he’s going to be an even bigger part of our future…I have no doubt he’ll be back with us and help us.” This move also keeps Farabee available for the AHL playoffs.
Ritchie was selected tenth overall by the Ducks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. His production has been somewhat underwhelming through his first five seasons, never topping more than 31 points in a season. The 24-year-old has eight goals and 11 assists in 41 games on the year.
The Avalanche originally listed Kadri as week-to-week but head coach Jared Bednar gave a more detailed timetable on Wednesday. Their second-line centre will miss at least one month, which means J.T. Compher will get an extended look in the top-6 and could put Colorado in the market for a centre at the trade deadline.
Frk, who won the hardest shot competition in the AHL, has scored 23 goals with 13 assists (36 points) in 37 AHL games this season. Scoring in the AHL has never been his issue, but he has just 15 goals and 19 assists (34 points) in 104 career NHL games.
Frost appeared in the last two games, failing to record a point in 13:00 ATOI but will be scratched tonight with Joel Farabee returning from an illness. If he's going to sit, Frost will likely be sent back to Lehigh Valley (AHL).
Farabee missed the last three games with an illness but will replace Morgan Frost tonight vs. the Islanders. Farabee will be back on the second line with Kevin Hayes and Travis Konecny and has four goals with two assists in his last six games.
As expected, Mantha will return to the Red Wings lineup on Tuesday. Mantha will replace Robby Fabbri, who is out with a jaw injury, and should skate on the top line with Dylan Larkin. Mantha has scored 12 goals with 12 assists (24 points) in 29 games this season.
Kadri was forced to leave Sunday’s game with a lower-body injury and did not return. The timing could not be worse for Kadri, who has posted nine points (4G / 5A) in his last eight games, marking his hottest stretch of the season. Players like J.T. Compher and Tyson Jost will likely be force-fed top-6 minutes in Kadri’s absence.
Mantha suffered a couple of injuries, including a punctured lung, back on December 21st but will be back in the lineup in Buffalo. At this time, there's no word on who Mantha will replace in the lineup.
Farabee, who will miss his third straight game, skated in the morning skate on Monday but will get one more day off. Head coach Alain Vigneault expects him to be back in the lineup tomorrow against the Islanders.
Mantha will not play this afternoon vs. the Bruins but head coach Jeff Blashill is hopeful that he'll return Tuesday in Buffalo. Mantha's return to the lineup would obviously be huge for the Red Wings, as he leads the team in points-per-game (0.83), scoring 12 goals with 12 assists (24 points) in 29 games this year.
With Joel Farabee sidelined with an illness, the Flyers are looking to Frost to inject some offence into their middle-6. Frost, who had seven points in 18 games with the Flyers earlier in the year, has tallied eight goals with 12 assists (20 points) in 30 AHL games this season.
Farabee reportedly lost a lot of weight while battling illness, so the Flyers will give him a few more days to build back up some strength. Scott Laughton moved into the Flyers' top-6 in Friday's practice to replace Farabee.
Weegar missed Thursday's game with an illness and is listed as day-to-day heading into Saturday's game. Josh Brown will remain in the lineup tomorrow if Weegar can't go.
