The Flyers Are Clearly Shopping James van Riemsdyk
Coming out of the All Star break at the end of this weekend, we can expect the trade rumors to come out in full force, with the trade deadline less than a month away.
The Philadelphia Flyers have dealt with a rash of injuries this season, up and down the lineup, and are expected to be among the most active teams around the deadline, in terms of trying to acquire talent. The most glaring need there is on the blue line. But the Flyers could also be in the market to deal one of their bigger name guys.
James van Riemsdyk is a name we’ve already heard floating around in rumors, going back even a few weeks. A couple of teams mentioned in that include the Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings.
JVR received a new six-year deal this offseason, with the team expecting him to step up with their trades of Mike Richards and Jeff Carter to the Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets, respectively. Much of that contract was thanks to a breakout performance in the postseason last year.
But the Flyers really haven’t seen that same type of player on the ice this season. He’s out with a concussion at the moment, but van Riemsdyk has 22 points on the season and has seen his ice time dwindle with the success of other players in the offensive end.
So it really doesn’t come as that much of a surprise that the Flyers could be shopping the 22-year-old. When you hear the names involved, it makes even more sense.
The rumor involving James van Riemsdyk, however valid it might have been, ran rampant for a short period of time. That deal involved JVR heading to Toronto for defenseman Luke Schenn, who also inked a new deal this offseason. There was plenty of speculation that it could become reality, but it appears everything fell apart with it.
Now, there are whispers of the Flyers turning back to the Kings to make another deal, this time for Jack Johnson. I find this one less believable, but it does make one thing clear: the Flyers are shopping James van Riemsdyk.
He might get traded before February’s deadline, or he might stay in Philly. But you can be that JVR’s name is one that you will be hearing quite a bit over the course of the next month.
