Toronto Maple Leafs: The All-Decade Starting Lineup

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 09: Nazem Kadri #43 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 9, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

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TORONTO, ON- NOVEMBER 14:James van Riemsdyk celebrates his first period goal on Ryan Miller.The Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the Vancouver Canucks Saturday night.Lucas Oleniuk-Toronto Star (Lucas Oleniuk/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

James van Riemsdyk

Acquired: via trade (June 23 2012)

From PHI for RHD Luke Schenn

Stats w/ Toronto (2012-18)

413 Games Played
153 Goals
291 Points
54.4 CorsiFor%
101.1 PDO

They say that “you never know what you got ’til it’s gone,” and that has never been truer in the case of James van Riemsdyk.

During his six seasons in a Leafs uniform, ‘JVR’ was deadly, finishing his tenure with a 0.70 P/GP average. The New Jersey native brought his best during some of the darkest and brightest times in Leafs history, regardless of defensive inefficiencies.

Although Brian Burke deserves scorn and criticism for the overall terrible state he left the Leafs in, he gets full credit for acquiring van Riemsdyk. JVR’s explosive entrance into the NHL’s biggest market created a presence that would be felt for more than half a decade.

JVR is 38th in all-time Leafs points, and 27th in all-time Leafs goals.

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