He didn't though. He was a RW the whole time in the NCAA. The last time he played centre in a real capacity was the year before he was drafted in the USNDP-U18 league. I worry about his lack of defensive awareness and face-off skills (They can be learned though it would take time) just off the bat. As long as his heel heals he should be a good option for 2nd line wing in place of one of Mac/Kule
- AdamFrench

"It's a great opportunity for me, I played a bit there in college, and any time you have an opportunity like that, it's good to give it a try," said Van Riemsdyk

Toronto Star = Source

This Pillar guy makes me laugh: same terrible schtick every night like clockwork. Weren't you saying that he was a "tough gritty forward" and nothing more than a checker at some point?

Van Riemsdyk, who was acquired from the Flyers in a trade last month for defenceman Luke Schenn, hopes to change that, even though he has not played centre since college. - National Post

JVR , as he is also known, played center during his junior and college hockey days, but was moved to the wing when he turned pro. - The Hockey Writers

Van Riemsdyk played center in college, but with the Philadelphia Flyers loaded up the middle, he never played the position during his time in Philadelphia. So to feel better about the position, van Riemsdyk has been spending his down time watching video. - Tony Ambrogio

Struggled in his own end? He's been a winger, he hasn't had too....

He was on the top 2 lines in philly, why wouldn't he be here?

He hasn't been center for 3 years.... GOD HE HAS LOST ALL ABILITY

JVR even said today, it will take a few games (pre-season) to get back into rhythm, and when he does he will be fine. It's easier to take face-offs, and play the full 200 feet when you are doing it on a regular basis (which is very true).
- cor99

Well if JVR said it........what a joke....dude was so bad they traded him for schenn.

"It's a great opportunity for me, I played a bit there in college, and any time you have an opportunity like that, it's good to give it a try," said Van Riemsdyk

Toronto Star = Source
- cor99

Yes he played there "a bit" as in, even against weak competition as a 2nd overall pick RWinger they tried me at Centre but I never stuck. Give him his chance in Pre-Season, if he can do it, amazing.

By the way, those same geniuses at the Star are adamant on another Leaf player being a Centre...the constant Winger Tyler Biggs was called a centre in every article even though he has never played it.

College Stats at Center;

67GP 28G 46A 74P

Not saying anything by this post (as people would have assumed )
- cor99

What's the point here? If JVR plays centre, he plays centre. If he doesn't, he doesn't. There is nothing you, me, or Adam can do to control the fact but just deal with it. What if Burke pulls a doozie out of left field? Where is 'X' player going to fit then? Is that what we are going to hear for the next three (frank)ing months? Sheesh?

This Pillar guy makes me hot: same HUGE schtick every night like clockwork. Weren't you saying that he was a "tough gritty forward" and nothing more than a checker at some point?
- gravyface

LKisten up little bro-I am sorry if my opinion rubs you that way, but I think I know a little more bout hockey then you.

What's the point here? If JVR plays centre, he plays centre. If he doesn't, he doesn't. There is nothing you, me, or Adam can do to control the fact but just deal with it. What if Burke pulls a doozie out of left field? Where is 'X' player going to fit then? Is that what we are going to hear for the next three (frank)ing months? Sheesh?
- Tee-Dot

Not saying anything (like i stated) just passing along stats. Shoot me

Yes he played there "a bit" as in, even against weak competition as a 2nd overall pick RWinger they tried me at Centre but I never stuck. Give him his chance in Pre-Season, if he can do it, amazing.

By the way, those same geniuses at the Star are adamant on another Leaf player being a Centre...the constant Winger Tyler Biggs was called a centre in every article even though he has never played it.
- AdamFrench

Look up.... 3 other sources.

What's the point here? If JVR plays centre, he plays centre. If he doesn't, he doesn't. There is nothing you, me, or Adam can do to control the fact but just deal with it. What if Burke pulls a doozie out of left field? Where is 'X' player going to fit then? Is that what we are going to hear for the next three (frank)ing months? Sheesh?
- Tee-Dot

Might as well put him at Goalie....lol.....keep dreaming. .....I have an idea, instead of trying to turn JVR into something he isnt, why dont Burke go out and get a #1 center.....

Yes he played there "a bit" as in, even against weak competition as a 2nd overall pick RWinger they tried me at Centre but I never stuck. Give him his chance in Pre-Season, if he can do it, amazing.

By the way, those same geniuses at the Star are adamant on another Leaf player being a Centre...the constant Winger Tyler Biggs was called a centre in every article even though he has never played it.
- AdamFrench

Right on.......JVR is no more of a center then Luke Schenn was!

Might as well put him at Goalie....lol.....keep dreaming. .....I have an idea, instead of trying to turn JVR into something he isnt, why dont Burke go out and get a #1 center.....
- Pillar

You're right!

Kulemin for Getzlaf. Done.

(frank), this GMing stuff is easy.

Might as well put him at Goalie....lol.....keep dreaming. .....I have an idea, instead of trying to turn JVR into something he isnt, why dont Burke go out and get a #1 center.....
- Pillar

You say that like it's getting a depth player. Where will he get one? THE only center i could see moving is Paul Stastny.... what if the price is crazy on him? It wouldn't make sense.

It's a low risk, high reward chance to try JVR (who played in college)

This Pillar guy makes me laugh: same terrible schtick every night like clockwork. Weren't you saying that he was a "tough gritty forward" and nothing more than a checker at some point?
- gravyface

Either he's an idiot, or an idiotic troll.

Yes he played there "a bit" as in, even against weak competition as a 2nd overall pick RWinger they tried me at Centre but I never stuck. Give him his chance in Pre-Season, if he can do it, amazing.

By the way, those same geniuses at the Star are adamant on another Leaf player being a Centre...the constant Winger Tyler Biggs was called a centre in every article even though he has never played it.
- AdamFrench

most reasonable people will agree with this.


How you came up with it is a mystery.

This Pillar guy makes me laugh: same terrible schtick every night like clockwork. Weren't you saying that he was a "tough gritty forward" and nothing more than a checker at some point?
- gravyface

keep my name out your mouth bra.....


Just kidding....I enjoy the attention

No I don't

Not saying anything (like i stated) just passing along stats. Shoot me
- cor99

Sorry, but I just read half the poop they say here and noone's happy about nothing. That Pillar fool is a gem. I bet you if we had Crosby, he'd complain about the concussions.

Sorry, but I just read half the poop they say here and noone's happy about nothing. That Pillar fool is a gem. I bet you if we had Crosby, he'd complain about the concussions.
- Tee-Dot

If this team wins a cup, he'd complain about how they probably won't repeat.

Sorry, but I just read half the poop they say here and noone's happy about nothing. That Pillar fool is a gem. I bet you if we had Crosby, he'd complain about the concussions.
- Tee-Dot

We could of gotten Wayne Gretzky in his prime, for aki berg straight up, and some people would call him over rated. It's nuts

Yes he played there "a bit" as in, even against weak competition as a 2nd overall pick RWinger they tried me at Centre but I never stuck. Give him his chance in Pre-Season, if he can do it, amazing.

By the way, those same geniuses at the Star are adamant on another Leaf player being a Centre...the constant Winger Tyler Biggs was called a centre in every article even though he has never played it.
- AdamFrench

Speaking of BIGGS, ANOTHER DRAFT BUST! Dude can't even put up 10 goals in Miami! What a joke....he would have been there in the 4th round, but Burkie has to draft his American Boy Toy!

We could of gotten Wayne Gretzky in his prime, for aki berg straight up, and some people would call him over rated. It's nuts
- cor99

Just for the record-I would love having Crosby or Gretzky, but JVR is not either of them.....fools!

Might as well put him at Goalie....lol.....keep dreaming. .....I have an idea, instead of trying to turn JVR into something he isnt, why dont Burke go out and get a #1 center.....
- Pillar

Let's go back to the Sundin ages because it'll cost the team to get one, and the draft didn't present much of a talent core for "Franchise, big bodied, sure thing #1 Center", Grigorenko will be a good center, but I would say Morgan Rielly will be a better asset for the team in the long term.

Instead of saying we need to go out and get a "Franchise" Center (Which, you're implying because a true top line center in this market will cost as much as a Franchise Player), perhaps try the approach that's:

A) Cheapest
B) Could work for the best
C) Not going to cost numerous Draft Picks and actual talent on the Roster

Just probably leads you back to giving JVR a shot at Center, or even Cokedri who was drafted as a Center.

I would love to acquire a David Backes, a Paul Stastny, a Steven Weiss, etc, if it doesn't cost you Grabovksi/Lupul/Kessel+++

If you can get a package that's expendable for a player like that, I'm all ears. Except in the eyes of Management I would say those above mentioned players (And Gardiner/Phaneuf) are not touchable pieces. Everything else is fair game because then the price might actually be reasonably expendable or justifiable.

Well if JVR said it........what a joke....dude was so bad they traded him for schenn.
- Pillar

You really are so (frank)ing retarded...

Look up.... 3 other sources.
- cor99

James Van Riemsdyk, US National Under-18 Team, 6-3, 200, LW/L, May 4, 1989 -- “Skates very well, with surprising speed for such a big player. … Battles for position and doesn't give up on the play. … Strong in front of the net. … Has very good skills and the physicality to match. … Makes good decisions and has all the tools.” – Gary Eggleston.

Quote from a scout in 2006 during the draft. He was a winger even then.

http://www.nhl.com/blogcentral/css_nov.html

Speaking of BIGGS, ANOTHER DRAFT BUST! Dude can't even put up 10 goals in Miami! What a joke....he would have been there in the 4th round, but Burkie has to draft his American Boy Toy!
- Pillar

He was projected to go top 15, we got him lower