Former 30-goal scorer admits that a return to Toronto in free agency could be in the cards

Former Toronto Maple Leaf and two-time Philadelphia Flyer James van Riemsdyk is set to hit unrestricted free agency and is looking to sign his first NHL contract with a team that isn't in Philadelphia. After an underwhelming season to finish off his 5-year deal, van Riemsdyk is looking for a change of scenery with the Flyers entering a rebuild.

Former General Manager, Chuck Fletcher, somehow boggled the trade deadline and was unable to deal the veteran to any of the contending teams that had previous interest. He waited far too long, the interested teams beefed up elsewhere, and by the time the deadline ended, he apparently only received one phone call.

Originally drafted 2nd overall during the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, the Flyers traded van Riemsdyk to Toronto in 2012 for Luke Schenn after 3 underwhelming seasons for the impatient club. His 6-year deal had yet to kick in but spent the entirety of that contract in Toronto where he scored 154 goals and 294 points in 413 games, including two 30-goal seasons and 60-point campaigns.

He went back to Philadelphia in the summer of 2018 and signed a 5-year deal worth $35 million and performed decently until the last 2 seasons. In his first 3 seasons of the new contract he scored 63 goals and 131 points in 188 games, however the last 2 seasons he only managed 36 goals and 67 points in 143 games, including 29 points this past season - with 19 of them coming in his first 25 games.


On Thursday, JVR was a guest on Leafs Morning Take and had plenty of things to say about the Leafs, Philly and possibly returning to Toronto in free agency.

van Riemsdyk on which market was bigger between Philadelphia and Toronto:

"The sheer volume in Toronto is the particular difference but I remember in my first stint in Philly, there was a good amount controversy... the pot would get stirred quite a bit, there was some of that but it's a little bit different. There's a bite in Philadelphia for sure but there's sheer numbers covering the Leafs so it's different in that way."

van Riemsdyk on playing with Auston Matthews as a rookie:

"... I remember it was a pre-World Cup skate with all the guys and you could just tell right away that he was different than a lot of guys you'll see. The creativity that he had and the skill level that he had, it just seemed that whenever he went into a situation to get the puck back, he was always able to find a way to pull it out, it just seemed like it would just stick to him... He's someone who's always looking for ways to get better."

van Riemsdyk on the pressure of playing in Toronto:

"Always something going on, as far as people talking about different things... nothing can fly under the radar here. If you're a goalscorer and you go a few games without a goal, you're going to be hearing about that in a place like Toronto. So I think being able to manage those highs and lows, especially in a place like that... things can be the highest of highs but also the lowest of lows, managing that is so important. There's extra attention... personally I love that atmosphere, I grew up a big Yankees fan, watching them and following them, I think it's a similar comparison..."

van Riemsdyk on if he's followed the Leafs at all since leaving:

"With having a few good buddies that i had that are still there, you can't help but follow and see how they're doing and see how the team is doing... The margin for error, especially in the playoffs, is just so small, you gotta keep sticking with it as far as giving yourself a chance to be there, sometimes the bounces go your way and sometimes they don't. Ultimately, watching from afar, it seems like they're right there in a lot of these series... never a dull moment when watching and hearing some of the feedback of what could and should be done..."

van Riemsdyk on possibly returning to Toronto this summer:

"We'll see what happens, ultimately you wanna be in a place where you're wanted. Speaking out of experience of being there last time, it was amazing, unbelievable, and something I'll always cherish. Going off of that, that was all great... most importantly you want to be a good fit with the organization and the coaching staff and how you fit in with all that stuff. We'll see what happens in the next couple of weeks but my experience playing in Toronto was something I'll always cherish and something I'll look back at fondly and definitely something I really enjoyed."

With the Maple Leafs looking to address their top-9 and needing depth forwards, van Riemsdyk could be a cheap option and a player who can still deliver 20-25 goals on a regular basis. He scored 24 in 2021-22 and was always on pace for 20+ in the seasons that were shortened by COVID. In the right setting and with the right players - which Toronto has - van Riemsdyk could have a renaissance-type season. It also helps that he's a good locker-room guy, vocal leader, and great off the ice.