As training camp nears, the Boston Bruins have been connected to potential Professional Tryout Offers (PTOs) for veteran forwards Blake Wheeler and Kailer Yamamoto.
While they’ve already added Elias Lindholm as their top-line center, there’s still a vacancy at the second-line right wing. Providence Bruins players Georgii Merkulov and Fabian Lysell could potentially fill this spot if they impress during camp, but General Manager Don Sweeney might be seeking more experienced and dependable options for the start of the 2024-25 season.
One such experienced player is James Van Riemsdyk, who played for the Bruins in the 2023-24 season and is now an unsigned free agent. At 35 years old, Van Riemsdyk is primarily a left winger but could offer the team some depth, similar to how Danton Heinen did last season after signing a PTO.
Although Van Riemsdyk had a strong start last year, his performance declined as the season progressed, ending with 11 goals and 27 assists in 71 regular-season games. The 6-foot-3, 207-pound winger also contributed a goal and four assists in 11 playoff games.
Throughout his career, Van Riemsdyk has tallied 311 goals and 318 assists over 1,011 regular-season games. The native of Middletown, New Jersey, is a seasoned veteran who could be a reliable option if the younger prospects aren’t quite ready.
A PTO might be a practical choice for Van Riemsdyk, who brings valuable experience and a strong locker room presence, and who understands the demands of playing in the NHL.
Although he might be slowing down at 35, his ability to drive to the net and be a power-play threat still makes him a valuable asset for any team.
Ideally, Van Riemsdyk would prefer to sign a one-year contract, but with the offseason winding down, it might be safer for him to stay in Boston, a familiar East Coast team. The Bruins might also find this familiarity comforting.
