Ritchie has had a bad season in Toronto due to a bad free-agent signing. Within a few months, he went from top-six forward to healthy scratch to minor league forward. Ritchie has nine points in 33 games. It's his worst season since his debut in Anaheim. The Leafs felt comfortable signing him because he played junior hockey for Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe.
The mobile defenseman has struggled since the season began and has recently been healthy scratched frequently. Dermott's game is difficult to assess because he isn't particularly physical or offensive. He has four points in 33 games this season and is owed $1.5 million next season. Toronto has previously expressed interest in the New York Islanders and Detroit Red Wings.
The Avalanche have previously indicated interest in Giroux, so there's a decent chance he ends up there. It would be a huge move for them to get him, given their current lead. They are now 34-8-4, and adding Giroux would make them even tougher to beat.
