WASHINGTON — His plane made it to D.C.
The Islanders called up top prospect Cal Ritchie on Friday before facing the Capitals, a day after Ritchie’s flight to Carolina was reportedly canceled, stopping the team from calling him up to face the Hurricanes.
Marshall Warren was sent down to Bridgeport as a corresponding move.
With Mat Barzal set to rejoin the Islanders’ lineup after being healthy-scratched in Thursday’s loss to the Hurricanes because he missed the team bus, the question is now whether the Isles intend Ritchie to be in the lineup on a more permanent basis.
Cal Ritchie during an Islanders-Rangers preseason game on Sept. 29, 2025. Getty Images
The 21-year-old center, who was acquired from the Avalanche last season in the trade that sent Brock Nelson to Colorado, pushed hard for a roster spot in training camp, but was one of the team’s last cuts.
In three games at Bridgeport this season, he has three points and has missed three more games with a lower-body injury.