Could James van Riemsdyk Join the Rangers?
With training camp just weeks away, the Rangers have an opportunity to sign a player who could be an ideal fit: James van Riemsdyk.
Although the offseason is nearly over, van Riemsdyk remains unsigned. Known for his consistent offensive contributions, he could be just what the Rangers need.
Van Riemsdyk, often referred to as JVR, is a veteran forward who hasn’t had a season with fewer than 10 goals in his 15-year NHL career. His experience speaks for itself—he played his 1,000th NHL game on March 5, 2024, against the Edmonton Oilers, recording two shots on goal during the match.
Selected second overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2007 NHL Draft, van Riemsdyk’s roots in hockey run deep. His younger brother, Trevor, is also in the NHL as a defenseman.
Now 35, JVR still has plenty to offer. In his most recent season with the Boston Bruins, he tallied 38 points, including 11 goals and 27 assists, across 71 games while averaging 13 minutes and 30 seconds on the ice. Just two years earlier, he scored 24 goals for the Flyers, though he was often overshadowed by other players on the team.
In his rookie year (2009-2010), van Riemsdyk scored 21 goals, finishing 11th in Calder Trophy voting for the NHL’s top rookie.
For the Rangers, van Riemsdyk could be a dependable bottom-six forward, with the potential to take on a bigger role as the season progresses. Although he’s spent years as a rival to the Rangers, now could be the time to bring him to Madison Square Garden.
However, the Rangers aren’t the only team interested. The Toronto Maple Leafs are also searching for a left winger, and analyst Frankie Corrado mentioned on TSN’s “OverDrive” that van Riemsdyk could be a good fit for them too.
If the Rangers are serious about signing JVR, they need to move quickly.
