Maple Leafs' Nick Ritchie clears waivers

Nick Ritchie has gone through waivers unclaimed.

The Toronto Maple Leafs placed Ritchie on waivers on Thursday, and it was reported on Friday afternoon that none of the other 31 teams in the league put in a claim.

After scoring 15 goals in 56 games with the Boston Bruins last season, the Leafs inked the No. 10 overall pick from the 2014 draft to a two-year contract worth $2.5 million annually. The hope was that Ritchie, who stands at 6-2 and 230 pounds, could add a physical presence to Toronto’s forward group.

Through 30 games, Ritchie has just one goal and eight points. He’s also the only regular forward on the Leafs who has a negative on-ice goal differential at even-strength.

There’s no word yet on whether the Leafs will assign Ritchie to the AHL Marlies or the taxi squad. On Friday, he was seen at practice wearing a regular jersey.

The Leafs will save $1.125 million with Ritchie as a buried cap hit, either in the AHL or on the taxi squad.