Toronto Maple Leafs: It’s Time To Trade James van Riemsdyk

Now that the July 1st fireworks are over, the Toronto Maple Leafs will surely continue their roster overhaul via trade.

Decisions on mainstays such as Tyler Bozak, James Van Riemsdyk, and Leo Komarov are being held close to the vest by the ever tight-lipped GM Lou Lamoriello.

While the speculation on Bozak’s perceived and real value is seemingly never-ending, and Komarov’s tenacity and grit makes him a hard-to-replace asset, JVR could be at a crossroads with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Does it make more sense to keep him in the long-term plans? Or trade the LW while his value is seemingly at an all-time high?

At 27 years old, the former 2^nd overall Flyers’ draft pick has been a sure thing to score at a 30 goal per year pace since being acquired for Luke Schenn. Now that I think about it, that trade was sort of like the poor man’s version of Taylor Hall for Adam Larsson! Sorry Edmonton, too soon. But the Toronto Maple Leafs clearly won that trade with the Flyers and have been playing with house money ever since.

JVR is signed for the next 2 years at a very cap-friendly hit of $4,250,000 and an actual salary of $5,000,000. This is an economic price for a winger of JVR’s age and production. The problem with this is that the Toronto Maple Leafs are clearly still in the infancy stages of the rebuild.

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Their prized youth, led by Auston Matthews, are yet to have played a single full season in the NHL. Where will their development be in 2 years time? What sort of payday will JVR command if he continues to score goals with ease?

These are questions that need to be answered. I would venture a guess that with average salary cap growth, coupled with a steady annual performance by JVR, he could be in line for a payday north of $7,000,000 AVV. Milan Lucic may have just set the benchmark for top line left wingers with his recently inked 7 yr. / $42,000,000 contract he signed with the Oilers.

Despite his penchant for lighting the lamp, even at times while short-handed, there has to be some concerns for paying him that kind of money. Many were so quick to run Phil Kessel out of town at the end of the Toronto Maple Leafs most recent end-of-season meltdown, but I always felt his line mates escaped without their fair-share of the repercussions.

The JVR/Bozak/Kessel line was about the worst in the NHL in terms of plus/minus, and was always disinterested in playing defence. Now, I will never be accused of being a defender of Phil Kessel’s time in Toronto, but I feel he was thrown under the hot-dog cart on this one.

If he displayed poor character, then Bozak and JVR did as well. I personally would have reservations about backing up a Brinks truck to anyone from the “18 wheeler right off a cliff” era, and rightfully so!

Another issue that makes me a little apprehensive to a wait-and-see approach with JVR is his injury history. He has injured his left foot twice. The first time he was on the shelf for 4-6 weeks while still a member of the Flyers.

The second time was last year, when he broke the same foot and was expected out 6-8 weeks. (It should be noted that it was mid-tank, and I’m sure it is a possibility he could have came back earlier). But two injuries to the same foot have to raise some red flags. In addition, he also suffered from a cam impingement hip while in Philadelphia.

A common ailment of hockey players, it impedes the bones’ movements in the hip socket. Upwards of 50% of hockey players suffer from this injury at one time or another. In 2011, it was widely speculated that JVR may require surgery to fix this problem, but was cleared to resume his career without it.

The Toronto Maple Leafs could be one slap-shot to the foot away from losing potentially a pile of assets. Toronto should be protecting what they have, and not allow him to play another game in the blue and white. The potential for a regression or injury is far more likely than JVR becoming a 50-goal scorer. Why take the risk if he doesn’t work into long term plans? Sell high!

If JVR is to finish his current contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, no matter how he performs, the club loses. If he should maintain his current pace of 30 goals per year, then he will price himself out of town. I’m sure with the up-and-coming talent moving it’s way through the pipeline, the Toronto Maple Leafs would prefer to not pay the inevitable high-demands of JVR.

If July 1st has shown us anything, someone certainly will. On the flip side, if JVR’s production stalls, or he re-injures his left foot, his value will undoubtedly drop. The team is then stuck with a diminished asset that it could have used to get a great return on. Remember Joffrey Lupul?

This money and value could potentially be used on adding another key piece to the backend, which would definitely benefit from some superstar depth.

The Toronto Maple Leafs brass may have tipped their hand in their long-term plans with JVR at the NHL draft last month. With the 31^st overall pick, the buds selected 6’4 LW Yegor Korshkov. This was unanimously considered to be a reach by draft experts. But the over-aged Russian suddenly makes some size upfront more expendable. Not surprisingly, the player he draws the most comparisons to is-you guessed it- JVR.

Next: Four Improvements To Watch For

I always liked JVR. I always liked my Eric Lindros rookie card too, but I wish I had sold it for top dollar when I had the chance. The Toronto Maple Leafs should not make the same mistake. At least they don’t have to worry about Scott Stevens though, right?