Toronto Maple Leafs Need To Pay JVR Now Or Regret It Later
James van Riemsdyk has been nothing but phenomenal in the last two contests for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
It’s time to pay him, before he leaves Toronto on July 1st. JVR has totaled 5 goals in his last two games and his been pivotal to the Toronto Maple Leafs success this season. To date, JVR has 31 goals, 16 assists, 9 PPG, 18 PPP and a S% of 15.1. While his assist totals are down in comparison to last year, he’s put up a career high in goals, PPG and S%.
Without JVR, the Toronto Maple Leafs wouldn’t be the same. The power-play would be awful. Aside from JVR, only two other Toronto Maple Leafs have more than three goals on the power-play. With JVR on your side, you can park him right in front of an opposing goalie and know that he’ll deflect shots in. Without a winger like JVR, you are missing that offensive demon who can be a nuisance for top net-minders. There is no way that someone like Matt Martin or Josh Leivo would be as effective in that role. They might be roughly the same height and weight as JVR but haven’t proven that they can replicate JVR’s offensive production.
It’s time for Lou Lamoriello and Brendan Shanahan to pull their money together and offer JVR a lucrative contract extension. Re-signing JVR just makes the most sense. There is no similar player to him on the roster or in the system, and he gives the team an incredible amount of depth, hiding out on a “third” line.
Why Other Options Just Won’t Work
If you look at the other free agents options, there isn’t anyone as compelling as JVR. Sure, you could target James Neal of the Vegas Golden Knights, but there will be a bidding war. George McPhee, the general manager of the Golden Knights has a ton of expiring UFAs include Luca Sbisa and David Perron. McPhee will definitely have enough cap space to resign Neal.
If you look at the others on the free agent list, they include several RFAs and veterans that have are removed from their successful days.
The last thing that makes sense for the Toronto Maple Leafs is to sign Rick Nash or Thomas Vanek. Nash nor Vanek will be able to replicate JVR’s production. There is no doubt that Nash can score, but he is no longer effective on the power-play. The last time that Nash had more than 10 power-play points was in his 2014-2015 campaign.
In the case of Vanek, he’s effective. Don’t get me wrong. He’s been stellar on the power-play this season, but he doesn’t pile up goals like he used to. The Toronto Maple Leafs need a goal scorer. Vanek doesn’t fit that bill. The last time that Vanek scored more than 20 goals was in 2014-2015 with the Minnesota Wild.
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Yes, I haven’t mentioned Evander Kane yet. The reason why is Kane is a natural born sniper. He doesn’t have a similar body type compared to JVR. If you put Kane in JVR’s skates, he wouldn’t be as successful. Plus, Kane is going to command quite a bit of salary. If you are willing to pay Kane, why wouldn’t you pay JVR?
How Can They Afford JVR?
You might be asking yourself, how can the Toronto Maple Leafs afford JVR? Shanahan has to re-sign William Nylander, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. It just doesn’t compute how JVR will be able to remain in a blue and white sweater. Josh, it simply doesn’t make sense.
Personally, I understand the concern. Here’s my plan of attack.
A lot of folks will say maybe he’ll take a home-town discount. I hate the “home-town discount” concept. It doesn’t even make sense. JVR spent more of his childhood in the state of New Jersey. I’ll tell you, I’ve spent a lot of time driving through New Jersey. It’s no where close to Toronto. In fact, it’s a good eight hour drive.
If you want JVR to take a “discount”, the Toronto Maple Leafs should look to make a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes. The Maple Leafs were rumored to grab a right handed defenseman at the deadline and didn’t pull the trigger. Well, JVR’s brother, Trevor van Riemsdyk is a right handed defenseman. TVR would be a solid fit on the third line defensive pairing in Toronto. TVR has been outstanding this season and currently posts a CF% of 55.7. Perhaps, TVR can persuade JVR to take a discount and spend some time together in the GTA.
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If that doesn’t work, it’s only logical that JVR won’t make a ton of money on playoff bound teams. For example, Tampa nor Pittsburgh will be able to afford JVR as they have quite stacked teams. So, it makes sense for JVR to take a smaller paycheck if it means that he’ll have a chance to raise the Stanley.
stats from NHL.com and hockey-reference.com