When van Riemsdyk heads into the 2017-18 season he will be on the final year of his contract after being traded to the Maple Leafs from the Flyers in a swap for Luke Schenn.

James has a cap hit of 4.25 million dollars and will be 28 years of age when October rolls around. He’s certainly considered a veteran on this young Leafs team and has been around for five full seasons in the blue and white. It’s a certainty that JVR has a high skill level and can put up quality numbers both five on five and on the power play. He’s a big body in front of the oppositions net and has very soft hands in tight. Whether or not it’s shooting the puck or making a slick pass, James is dangerous just outside the blue paint of the goalies crease.

As we know it’s not all about numbers, but looking at what JVR has done since joining the Leafs it’s impressive and noteworthy.

In 332 regular season games for the Leafs, James has scored 118 goals and tallied 122 assists. He’s one of the few Maple Leafs players who have been around for two playoff runs (Boston, Washington) and has certainly chipped in with 4 goals and 6 assists in 13 games. He’s certainly been a bright spot for this Leafs team since they ripped off the Flyers in that lob sided trade. (Sorry Flyers fans).

When van Riemsdyk was drafted in 2007 he was selected second overall and big things were expected by the Flyers. JVR posted decent numbers in the regular season but seemed to elevate his game play during the playoffs. He scored 7 goals in 11 games during the 2010-11 playoffs for Philadelphia but was hurt the following season and only played 43 regular season games and 7 playoff games. That’s when the Flyers made the mind blowing trade picking up Schenn (whose value was plummeting) hoping they could get him back on track and that perhaps JVR was too soft for their liking.

So the big question for Maple Leafs management will be, to keep JVR or to deal him. He’s certainly due for a raise in the salary department, and the Leafs are in decent shape cap wise, but will undoubtedly run into some issues when the rest of their young guns need to be resigned. Players like Matthews, Marner, Nylander to me are the main core up front and there is room for more. JVR could certainly be considered a keeper; he’s one of the few left handed shots, and one who can put up 60+ points.
The way I see it, unless management gets their socks blown off JVR is going to be resigned with a new deal. That deal will be a raise without question, but with the talent in the system I think you will see Lamoriello and the upper management talk to James about taking somewhat of a pay cut to stay and thrive with the upcoming beast of the East in the Maple Leafs.

They really are on track to becoming a powerhouse they just need to improve in a few areas to really get to that next level.

Of course JVR could be the main piece in bringing in a quality young defender to play top four minutes and really solidify the Leafs weakest part of their team, defense.

The big factor to me will be what is offered for James and what other options are on the table for Toronto improving their defensive core. You have to give to get, but you also don’t want to give too much and end up going backwards in the “rebuilding” process.

What do you think the Leafs will do with James?

Thanks for reading, enjoy your weekend!

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