Brett Ritchie

Ritchie struggled to hold onto a regular spot in Jim Montgomery's lineup for Dallas, and the 26-year-old grinder wound up playing only 53 games in the regular season and then didn't see the ice at all in the playoffs until the team's final game against the Blues. Discipline seemed to be the point of friction between Ritchie and his coach, as he racked up a career-high 57 PIM even as his average ice time fell below 10 minutes for the first time. A free agent in the offseason, he signed a one-year, $1 million deal with Boston, where he'll compete for a fourth-line role.

Ritchie's numbers took a step backwards last season, as he managed only seven goals and 14 points in 71 games despite maintaining a consistent spot on the Stars' second power-play unit. The decline was as much due to the talent around him as his own efforts -- between Jason Spezza's play falling off a cliff and the lack of a contribution from Martin Hanzal, there wasn't much secondary scoring for Dallas in 2017-18 behind the big guns. Ritchie's still only 25, and it's too early to give up on someone with the potential to develop into a true power forward, but he'll need someone to step up at center and provide him with a reliable playmaker to tap into his upside. Another poor performance could push Ritchie off the roster entirely next offseason.

A second round pick in 2011, Ritchie broke through with the Stars last year and scored 16 goals with a team-high plus-11 rating in 78 games as his compete level finally began to catch up to his size and skill. The 24-year-old looks the part of a power forward, but injuries and a tendency to hang around on the periphery of the play slowed his development before last season’s impressive showing. Ritchie will head into 2017-18 skating on a line with fellow young giant Radek Faksa, and the duo could form the core of an imposing third line for the Stars as they continue to learn how to use their length and physicality in the NHL.

Ritchie posted 22 goals and 26 assists over 68 games for AHL Texas last season, adding another seven goals and four assists through 13 playoff games. He's only 21 and already making his mark. Don't be surprised if the power winger gets called up to the NHL for a game or two this year, but it's unlikely that he'll make an extended appearance in Dallas.

Ritchie had a stellar final season in the OHL, scoring 41 goals (sixth in the league) and adding 35 assists in 53 games, despite missing 15 games. And included in that was a stretch where he scored and impressive 26 goals in 20 games. He made his professional debut following the OHL campaign and quickly notched three goals in five games with the Texas Stars (AHL). He is expected to begin 2012-13 in the AHL and combines with Alex Chiasson and Valeri Nichushkin to give Dallas some great young scoring depth at right wing.

Ritchie continues to show a solid scoring touch in his minor league career and finds himself among the second tier of a deep group of RW prospects for Dallas.