The Dynamic Duo Is Back Together, Flyers Bring Back James Van Riemsdyk

Just over a week ago, Flyers GM, Ron Hextall, told the media, before he left for the draft, that he did not want to give out a long-term big money contract. That comment would age very poorly over the following week.




But, on day 1 of developmental camp on Thursday, Hextall went back on his word and re-explained his comment about a long-term big money contract…

 

“I misspoke that day or you guys misunderstood me, I said we weren’t going to go long term with a good player. Maybe a great player, we’d look at it. I probably misspoke a little bit. We don’t want to go long, long term … we’ll see where that goes.” GM Ron Hextall said.

 

Now, why would Hextall do that? Why would you reiterate your comment in a way that now say you might be willing to offer a big money contract to the right person? Well, here may be the reason.




Last week, I had a great talk with a person in the van Riemsdyk family. In that conversation, he told me that JVR wanted to be closer to home. Home for van Riemsdyk is Middletown NJ. That would mean only 4 teams would have interested van Riemsdyk. Those teams are the Devils, the Islanders, the Rangers, and the Flyers.

Now, 5 days later, that personal opinion and gut feeling, became a reality and James Van Riemsdyk came home. Key words there is came home. Yes, closer to home and family. But, also home meaning the place where it all started. The team that drafted JVR #2 overall brought him back on a 5 year $35 million dollar contract.



The Flyers bringing James Van Riemsdyk back this way means they are ready to compete now. Hextall has preached patience. But, when would that patience turn to lets go? Well, this signing may signal that the Flyers are ready to go.

 

Now, with this big splash, how does he fit into the team as it stands?

 

Well, lets start with the positives he brings to the Flyers now.




Penalty Kill

A very unknown fact about JVR’s game is his penalty killing ability. Used very minimally on the penalty kill in Toronto, but in his first stint with the Flyers, van Riemsdyk was paired with Claude Giroux on the PK in his early stages of his career. Now, he may not play on the penalty kill this time around for the Flyers, but at least the history is there and it may have weighed in on Hextall’s decision to sign James Van Riemsdyk.

 

Top 6 Scoring Winger

One of Hextall’s main objectives this offseason was to add to his top 6 and expand his top 9. With adding JVR, Hextall has created a ripple effect that not only got him the top 6 scoring winger he wanted. But, also drops a very decent top 6 forward in Oskar Lindblom, down to the 3rd line, strengthening his top 9. In adding JVR, Hextall has solved 2 problems in one move.

 

Power-Play Good

Now, this is where van Riemsdyk signing becomes a little confusing. Already with a great power-play mix, adding JVR, one of the leagues best net front presences, is just adding more to the Flyers already stacked power-play. JVR’s skill set is destined to add more full to the Flyers power-play which struggled for the first time in years last season.




However, this leads me into the bad / unknown spots to why James Van Riemsdyk signing is a little confusing.

 

Power-Play Bad

Adding van Riemsdyk adds more to a stacked power-play, but it also takes away from a stacked power-play. Mid-season when Wayne Simmonds went down, Nolan Patrick asserted himself as the Flyers #1 power-play net-front presence. However, with adding one of the leagues bests, that may mean Patrick will be dropped back down to the 2nd power-play unit. Strengthening the 2nd unit, but also taking a spot away from the promising young future star for the Flyers.

 

Simmonds A Goner

With signing a power-forward with the same skill set and 2 years younger, this does not bode well for current Flyer Wayne Simmonds. Simmonds has been the fuel of the Flyers fire over the past 5 seasons with his grit, determination, and leadership. But, going into a contract year and GM Ron Hextall giving out money that may have been his, well that does not bode well for a future with Simmonds in a Flyers uniform.




When you sign someone to a contract like this, these positives and negatives come naturally. However, I truly believe that GM Ron Hextall has something up his sleeve. The James Van Riemsdyk signing may have been a precursor to another move.

Well, only time will tell. But, it is great to see James Van Riemsdyk back in the Orange and Black. Welcome Home JVR.

By Brandon Sommermann | July 1, 2018