Second-line center gap and Ritchie's emergence

Calum Ritchie's underlying numbers (2.43 xGF/60 vs 1.47 GF/60) show he was unlucky as a rookie, reinforcing him as an internal solution for the second-line center role. He is a key prospect alongside Eklund and Eiserman. Prospect depth is further highlighted by Maggio's confirmed KHL signing due to logjam, indicating improved organizational depth pushing out older prospects.