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3 Former Toronto Maple Leafs Who Could Rejoin the Team

ByStephen Nixon|
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 23: Phil Kessel #81 and Tyler Bozak #42 of the Toronto Maple Leafs share a laugh prior to play between the Minnesota Wild and the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on March 23, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Wild defeated the Leafs 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 23: Phil Kessel #81 and Tyler Bozak #42 of the Toronto Maple Leafs share a laugh prior to play between the Minnesota Wild and the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on March 23, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Wild defeated the Leafs 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 30: James van Riemsdyk #25 (l) of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal at 2:01 of the third period against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on March 30, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 30: James van Riemsdyk #25 (l) of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal at 2:01 of the third period against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on March 30, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

No. 3: James van Riemsdyk

“JVR” was another great player in Toronto and acquiring him for Luke Schenn was one of the best trades in Brian Burke’s career. However, a five-year contract worth $7M AAV was never going to happen in Toronto and it’s a fantastic thing it didn’t, because van Reimsyk hasn’t been living up to that pay-cheque.

So, why should Toronto trade for him?

Well, if Philadelphia retained 50 percent of his deal, JVR at $3.5M is a fantastic deal and someone who can still be a huge help on the team’s second-line and power-play.

Toronto currently has a slot open on the second-line at left-wing and van Riemsdyk’s 6-foot-3, 220 pound frame would be perfect there. Paired beside John Tavares and William Nylander, the former Leaf could return to his 30-goal form and be a big help.

Although he didn’t have any playoff success here, JVR’s best seasons, statistically, all came when he was a member of the Leafs, so he may be open to a reunion. The Flyers need to clear cap-space right now and they should also look to rebuild, so flipping van Rimsdyk makes a ton of sense.

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