James van Riemsdyk Progressing or Regression?

[Guy Boucher]

Well, to me, I think the Bruins could bring out all of JVR's strength, and you guys sound like you need a good C and definitely a 2 way defensive forward that is good on the PK, very good along the boards and just has this uncanny ability to put his stick in the right places, I give you Soderberg and Loui Eriksson for JVR, together they are worth more than being separated, they're chemistry is scary. You can have Chris Kelly too if you want more defensive forwards, we don't want him haha.

But as I said, I think Boston could really bring out JVR to his best, use his size, speed, net front presence etc and he'll be held accountable for his play, if not he'll be booed out of town. I think he needs a change of scenery personally and I also think Toronto need to send Kessel packing if they want to start being a contending team, I think its fair to say Phil isn't going to win you cups but he can definitely net you some lucrative deals.

A UFA and an overpaid winger for JVR? Are you taking Clarkson too?

 

[ashnathan]

Bruins have nothing that they would be willing to trade for JvR that I would want. Plus JvR looks a lot better when he's not playing with Kessel and Bozak. He's the only reason we get any dirty goals at all.

Its not really what we want though it never is haha, its what the team needs and what management would see to best help the team, if you need good centres, 2 way forwards and defensive players then Boston has plenty, Im not saying Boston is the ideal trade partner, being division rivals etc but it 'could' work.

That being said, I hope Chia is on the phone regardless and asking for prices on JVR etc

 

[ashnathan]

A UFA and an overpaid winger for JVR? Are you taking Clarkson too?

Obviously there'd have to be guarantees Soda would re-sign etc im not saying JUST those 2 but it would get the ball rolling

 

[MapleLeafs9]

Why does JvR need a change of scenery?

 

[Purity*]

Why does JvR need a change of scenery?

He's 9th in goals and 16th in points. He seems to be doing ok in Toronto

 

[Primary Assist]

Why does JvR need a change of scenery?

He doesn't. And he won't get one. If the new coach(es) can find the key to JvR then he's gonna be on one of the best contracts you'll find in the whole league.

 

[Duffman955]

Hes on pace for like 70 points. Imagine what he will do when he increases his intensity.

 

[MapleLeafs9]

He doesn't. And he won't get one. If the new coach(es) can find the key to JvR then he's gonna be on one of the best contracts you'll find in the whole league.

Even though he's not playing to what the fans (and his self) think(s) he's capable of playing, it's still one of the best contracts in the league.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I sure hope not.

As an aside, I remember a few years back, a poster here created a set of avatars with the theme "no grey area". Basically meant Leaf fans only took 1 of 2 sides and never met in the middle on any idea, topic, player etc...

Well this season Leaf fans have found a grey area, and one that has become fantasy land. The media/analytics phase contributed, as did successful NHL teams.

What I am referring to is, Leaf fans hate anyone who isn't a two-way player. Lots of offence, no defence (Kessel, JVR, and to an extent already Nylander) a bust. All defence no offence (Jay McClement and now unfairly Frederik Gauthier) a bust.

Yes, good teams are made up of a lot of two-way players, or at least one-way players who buy into the system. But not every player is some two-way genius. Not the way things work.

If you have an offensive or defensive specialist, that's fine, as long as you surround them with two-way players to compliment them.

But Leafs nation has found a new trend to go bonkers on. Not two-way, don't give two-*****.

It has spilled over to JVR, and ya defensively he has been a train wreck. But he stays healthy (unlike Lupul), for a bigger man, he uses his speed and size well enough (unlike Clarkson). And he may be less of an offensive guy than Kessel, but only makes just over half of Kessel (as well as less than Lupul and Clarkson).

I get the culture stuff (though he was brought in after the other culprits) and his work in the defensive zone. But my goodness for a guy his age, who can put up the numbers he does, who has the skill that he does in tight, and is on the contract he is on, it would be foolish to give him up (unless we were overwhelmed).

I think the team could be overwhelmed if they sent a memo out to take offers. I would move him before Kessel actually. The team could basically get 4 top six players by moving Jvr first and Kessel afterwards. Kessels value right now had taken a hit and waiting awhile to move him is probably a good idea.

Getting a good young 2 way center and more for Jvr adds structure to the first line and possibly better all round play of it. We are top heavy on skilled players that aren't that good defensively. That needs to change. Who knows really though if we get two good players that have scoring and defense with Kessel it might completely relieve the need to move kessel out.

When he played with good possession players in Boston(Savard and Wheeler) he was pretty good. Kessel needs players that rub off on him maybe. The line mates he has now have had the reverse effect and had him rub off on them.

Jvr has some awesome value to strengthen our lineup.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Well, to me, I think the Bruins could bring out all of JVR's strength, and you guys sound like you need a good C and definitely a 2 way defensive forward that is good on the PK, very good along the boards and just has this uncanny ability to put his stick in the right places, I give you Soderberg and Loui Eriksson for JVR, together they are worth more than being separated, they're chemistry is scary. You can have Chris Kelly too if you want more defensive forwards, we don't want him haha.

But as I said, I think Boston could really bring out JVR to his best, use his size, speed, net front presence etc and he'll be held accountable for his play, if not he'll be booed out of town. I think he needs a change of scenery personally and I also think Toronto need to send Kessel packing if they want to start being a contending team, I think its fair to say Phil isn't going to win you cups but he can definitely net you some lucrative deals.

Nah. I wouldn't want him in our division. I would want him out of conference actually. No slight to your players intended either. We could trade him for younger guys that aren't viewed as established players but have huge upside and are playing well on entry level deals too.

He has that value most teams want. He can get a rather large haul in trade.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Hes on pace for like 70 points. Imagine what he will do when he increases his intensity.

Making him a first trade would be a great gauge of the Market for a G.M. Nonis is sitting back hoping for a single play off round or what here. I'm not getting this. Players need to be moved out.

Kessel shouldn't be moved until they team build some. JVR needs to be utilized if the management has any foresight or plan at all. Doesn't seem like it though.

 

[Purity*]

14th in points and 9th in goals, this guy is easily our best contract at 4.2M. He's a very dominant player when he's competing hard.

Predictions for stats by the end of the year for him? I'm willing to bet he cracks 35 goals and 70 points.

 

[TheLeastOfTheBunch]

14th in points and 9th in goals, this guy is easily our best contract at 4.2M. He's a very dominant player when he's competing hard.

Predictions for stats by the end of the year for him? I'm willing to bet he cracks 35 goals and 70 points.

Haven't watched him for the past few weeks, but hopefully this next half of the season he solidifies his defence at even strength. He's got the ability to be a 40-40-80 player though. 35-35-70 is a good, realistic target

 

[Dobber]

It needs to be Kadri/JVR/Kessel on the top line to turn this season around

 

[Tyler Biggs*]

2 in the top 10 in goals

 

[080]

JVR just needs to be split from Kessel at 5 on 5. The lines looked much more balanced last game (Winnik-Bozak-Kessel; JVR-Kadri-Whoever). Then just put them back together on the PP where they ****ing light it up.

 

[AustonMitchWilly]

JVR just needs to be split from Kessel at 5 on 5. The lines looked much more balanced last game (Winnik-Bozak-Kessel; JVR-Kadri-Whoever). Then just put them back together on the PP where they ****ing light it up.

Except he assisted kessels goal and kessel assisted his.

yes. separate, yes.

 

[Raging Bull]

Obviously there'd have to be guarantees Soda would re-sign etc im not saying JUST those 2 but it would get the ball rolling

That would be a quantity for quality trade in the worst way.

 

[Tak7]

If Kessel is 2 weeks on / 2 weeks off, what the hell is JvR?

Sure he's younger, but the biggest criticism in Philadelphia was that he didn't always bring it - constantly disappearing after a few games. That's turned out to be quite true in Toronto, this season in particular.

He's at a good age, and progressing well enough, that you automatically make him one of your core guys. But as with many younger players in this league he's going to need to figure out how to battle consistency

 

[Teeder9]

If Kessel is 2 weeks on / 2 weeks off, what the hell is JvR?

Sure he's younger, but the biggest criticism in Philadelphia was that he didn't always bring it - constantly disappearing after a few games. That's turned out to be quite true in Toronto, this season in particular.

He's at a good age, and progressing well enough, that you automatically make him one of your core guys. But as with many younger players in this league he's going to need to figure out how to battle consistency

Yep. Last year he looked like he could be the main guy sooner rather than later, but it's like watching tag devolve into hide and seek with him and Kessel

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Friggin JVR is the softest loser. Swings his stick at pucks and never lays a hit against the habs none the less. Is he for real. American players just don't get the rivalry do they. Three softest players Gardiner,Kessel and Jvr. They give American players a bad name and we have the three softest the country ever produced lol.

The sooner the three of them are gone the better. They haven't hit anyone on the the friggin Canadiens for god sake.

 

[Rufio65*]

Man, is he ever soft. He could be such a beast, too.. I'd look to move him, you can't win with players like him and Gardiner.

 

[Snow Dog]

he never gets flack from anyone.Papa smurf.

 

[Raym11]

I dont like a single player on this team anymore except maybe Rielly and Komarov, really hoping everyone gets traded no exceptions

 

[Suntouchable13]

I dont like a single player on this team anymore except maybe Rielly and Komarov, really hoping everyone gets traded no exceptions

I don't really like any one right now. I am indifferent to a couple of guys like Rielly and maybe Bernier, but that's about it.