Toronto Maple Leafs: van Riemsdyk Must Be Traded This Season
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a number of players set to become UFAs after this upcoming season. The two most notable being Tyler Bozak (Whom we discussed previously) and the topic of todays article, James Van Riemsdyk.
JVR is in the final year of his six-year deal paying him 4.25 million a season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. At 28, he isn’t getting any better, but he is still very good. 60 point wingers with size that can get you 25-30 goals a season aren’t cheap.
It’s exactly that reason why the Toronto Maple Leafs must move him before the trade deadline this year. There is only so much room under the salary cap and ideally you can’t let valuable assets walk for nothing. Though, to be fair, if the Leafs are in contention at the trade deadline, keeping him would be a lot like acquiring a rental. Regardless, I believe it is still better to get something back.
The Leafs already have enough talent on the wings coming to lessen the blow of moving him. That brings us to an important question…
What could he return in a trade?
A big winger with hands who is reasonably healthy certainly has value, even though JVR will be a UFA by the end of the season.
The Leafs biggest need is a right shot, first or second pairing defenceman. Those cost a fortune, so it’s just not happening. Trouba is rumoured to not be interested in playing for a Canadian team and is pricey. Chris Tanev would be perfect, but he’s injured a lot.
The Maple Leafs are really stacked at forward and have too many already. It wouldn’t be shocking if a player like Josh Leivo or Kerby Rychel were traded or lost to waivers. Any forward worth trading for would have to be young with real high potential.
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In net the Leafs have Andersen and McElhinney. Sparks can be called up in case of injury. They’re set.
In my opinion, the best return is a promising prospect and/or first round pick. Toronto’s prospect pool might be good, but it can always be better. Another talented goalie, forward, or defenceman in the system is never a bad thing.
That also gives the Leafs more options. A high pick always has value and can be traded at a later date, or used on whichever player they want at the draft. They’re the gift that keeps on giving.
A potential problem…
Considering that the Leafs will likely be contending for a Stanley Cup by the trade deadline, won’t the Leafs hurt their chances by moving JVR? If they can’t get much of a return, why not just use him as a rental and let him walk?
Hanging on to JVR makes some sense, but we need to think long-term. He’s not getting better, the Leafs have too many wingers, and he’ll cost too much to keep once Matthews and friends are due for raises. You can’t lose good players for nothing. Playoff glory this season sounds great, however…
This is just the beginning…
Matthews, Marner, and Nylander are getting better and are just getting started. The Leafs would do well learning by from the Chicago Blackhawks. Identify your core, move everyone else when it’s the right time, and work to have a pipeline of players breaking into the league every year or two.
Next: A Completely Opposite View-Point
Being a big threat in the playoffs this year sounds great. Building a dynasty sounds better- and Toronto has a legitimate chance to build one.