The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to target additional offensive depth before the trade deadline, with one potential move involving the return of veteran forward James van Riemsdyk.
According to PuckPedia’s PuckGM trade tool, a user proposed a deal that would send van Riemsdyk back to the Maple Leafs from the Columbus Blue Jackets. In the proposed trade, Toronto would acquire van Riemsdyk while sending Calle Jarnkrok and a 2025 fifth-round draft pick to Columbus.
Van Riemsdyk, who signed a one-year, $900k contract with the Blue Jackets this offseason, has had a modest start to the season with 3 goals and 2 assists in 16 games. With half of his salary retained, he could contribute as a middle-six forward, offering experience, power-play potential, and additional scoring.
In exchange, the Maple Leafs would part with Jarnkrok, who has yet to play this season due to injury. Jarnkrok, in the third year of a four-year, $8.4 million contract, could potentially bolster Columbus’s second or third lines once he’s healthy, offering value for the Blue Jackets both now and in the future.
Toronto is starting to regain its health, with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies returning to the lineup on November 30. Matthews, who was recovering from injury, mentioned that he felt progressively better during the game, despite some rust. Coach Craig Berube noted that both Matthews and Knies showed strong performances after their time off. The Maple Leafs are 14-7-2, currently sitting in second place in the Atlantic Division.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets made a major trade, sending David Jiricek, the sixth overall pick in the 2022 draft, to the Minnesota Wild. In return, Columbus received defenseman Daemon Hunt, several future draft picks, including a 2025 first-round pick, and more. Columbus General Manager Don Waddell expressed excitement about adding Hunt and the valuable draft assets to strengthen the team moving forward.
At 10-9-3, the Blue Jackets are off to a solid start this season.
