James van Riemsdyk

[GhostofPotvin29]

@DavidAlter590
JVR says he feels fine and intends to play Saturday.

I'm actually excited to see him play. This could be a breakout season for him. Maybe not, but it COULD be.

JVR only played 43 games last year, but DID score at a 56 point pace. Taking a half-season's output and translating it over a full year is an inexact science but it can show us a sign of what might be to come (if he's healthy). I don't we'll see JVR score over 70 points and become a 1st line winger, but he can be a solid power-forward 2nd line guy. And to think we got this guy for Luke "5th d-man" Schenn.

You're assuming that Schenn doesn't put it together and become quite valuable and that JVR doesn't continue to struggle with his health.

I'm still of the camp that dealing Schenn could come back to haunt the Leafs though I suppose, moving him when they did assured the Leafs that Schenn still had some value.

It's just as likely it could come back to haunt the Flyers too though, right?

 

[mjmgrand]

@DavidAlter590
JVR says he feels fine and intends to play Saturday.

I'm actually excited to see him play. This could be a breakout season for him. Maybe not, but it COULD be.

JVR only played 43 games last year, but DID score at a 56 point pace. Taking a half-season's output and translating it over a full year is an inexact science but it can show us a sign of what might be to come (if he's healthy). I don't we'll see JVR score over 70 points and become a 1st line winger, but he can be a solid power-forward 2nd line guy. And to think we got this guy for Luke "5th d-man" Schenn.

You're assuming that Schenn doesn't put it together and become quite valuable and that JVR doesn't continue to struggle with his health.

I'm still of the camp that dealing Schenn could come back to haunt the Leafs though I suppose, moving him when they did assured the Leafs that Schenn still had some value.

We just needed a big body left shooting top six a lot more badly than we needed Schenn.

I love Schenn. Wish we could have had them both.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

@DavidAlter590
JVR says he feels fine and intends to play Saturday.

I'm actually excited to see him play. This could be a breakout season for him. Maybe not, but it COULD be.

JVR only played 43 games last year, but DID score at a 56 point pace. Taking a half-season's output and translating it over a full year is an inexact science but it can show us a sign of what might be to come (if he's healthy). I don't we'll see JVR score over 70 points and become a 1st line winger, but he can be a solid power-forward 2nd line guy. And to think we got this guy for Luke "5th d-man" Schenn.

You're assuming that Schenn doesn't put it together and become quite valuable and that JVR doesn't continue to struggle with his health.

I'm still of the camp that dealing Schenn could come back to haunt the Leafs though I suppose, moving him when they did assured the Leafs that Schenn still had some value.

It's just as likely it could come back to haunt the Flyers too though, right?

I'm fully willing to admit that sure. I just think it's silly to say "And to think we got this guy for Luke '5th D'Man' Schenn," like we stole him from the Flyers.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I think probably some of that sentiment is due to thinking that really the only thing holding JVR back has been injuries, whereas with Schenn he's been healthy and has struggled to put it together in the NHL.  So there would seem to be more questions about his NHL game and whether he can reach another level than there might be with JVR.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I think probably some of that sentiment is due to thinking that really the only thing holding JVR back has been injuries, whereas with Schenn he's been healthy and has struggled to put it together in the NHL.  So there would seem to be more questions about his NHL game and whether he can reach another level than there might be with JVR.

That's fine, but there are still some big questions around JVR as well. Health cannot be ignored.

 

[maplesyrup]

@HennyTweets
Top PP unit looking like phaneuf-kostka, jvr, kessel and lupul

Huh. So JVR takes the draw on the PP? Could be a good unit (likely better when JG replaces Kostka.)

 

[Kin]

I think probably some of that sentiment is due to thinking that really the only thing holding JVR back has been injuries, whereas with Schenn he's been healthy and has struggled to put it together in the NHL.  So there would seem to be more questions about his NHL game and whether he can reach another level than there might be with JVR.

I don't really think that jives with what Flyers fans were saying at the time of the trade though. A lot of the opinion there was that JVR was a soft player who would disappear for stretches himself. So the whole "he can be a power forward" thing strikes me as being just as based on potential as "Schenn can be a very good defensive defenseman".

Schenn was probably put in the worst situation a young defenseman could be, too much defensive responsibility, not enough defensive help, lousy goaltending that couldn't bail him out. JVR, on the other hand, came up onto a team with a ton of talented forwards, where he didn't have to shoulder a big load and where the team's winning record probably shielded some of his shortcomings.

Really, I think the sentiment that the Leafs stole him is really due to the fact that some people say that about every trade the Leafs make.

 

[Tigger]

I think probably some of that sentiment is due to thinking that really the only thing holding JVR back has been injuries, whereas with Schenn he's been healthy and has struggled to put it together in the NHL.  So there would seem to be more questions about his NHL game and whether he can reach another level than there might be with JVR.

Fwiw and IIRC Schenn was hampered by an eye injury and tendonitis in his knee that precluded him from training much in the offseason before his sophomore year, which was a decline in terms of performance for him. Not as dramatic but worth noting I think.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Really, I think the sentiment that the Leafs stole him is really due to the fact that some people say that about every trade the Leafs make.

Perhaps there is also just as much sentiment from Flyers fans to undersell a player they were trading away.

 

[Kin]

Really, I think the sentiment that the Leafs stole him is really due to the fact that some people say that about every trade the Leafs make.

Perhaps there is also just as much sentiment from Flyers fans to undersell a player they were trading away.

Sincerely,

Luke "Fifth Defenseman" Schenn.

 

[Bonsixx]

This is clearly one of those deals that will take a couple of years to determine a winner, if there even is one.

However, I do think JVR has the higher ceiling of the two.

 

[drummond]

This is clearly one of those deals that will take a couple of years to determine a winner, if there even is one.

However, I do think JVR has the higher ceiling of the two.

Luke will probably start with Timonen on the first pairing
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=48559#.UPmbhPKz6RM

 

[CarltonTheBear]

This is clearly one of those deals that will take a couple of years to determine a winner, if there even is one.

However, I do think JVR has the higher ceiling of the two.

Luke will probably start with Timonen on the first pairing
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=48559#.UPmbhPKz6RM

I thought Schenn might have been able to excel in Philly because he'd be a little more down on the depth chart than he was here. But if he's going to be on the top pairing then I don't really have very high hopes for him.

 

[mjmgrand]

Thought he was a bit tentative last night, but I could say that for the entire team. Still shaking off lockout rust while trying to feel each other out still.

JVR had a rush or two that showed his footspeed however. Really like him with Kadri and Komarov. Hope we see some magic ahead from this line.

 

[nutman]

I hope JVR brings more on monday.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

van Riemsdyk will be fine IMO. It was the first game, not everybody is going to look like it's game forty of a normal season. There is a reason that the Marlies players were the best on the ice last night.

 

[Rebel_1812]

He didn't get much ice time and he wasn't 100%.  So give him some time.

 

[Redleaf]

Burke's final trade as Leafs GM has the makings of being a real solid one. Schenn, so far looking average for Philly, and JVR coming to life for 2 big ones last night!

 

[Zee]

Burke's final trade as Leafs GM has the makings of being a real solid one. Schenn, so far looking average for Philly, and JVR coming to life for 2 big ones last night!

Still too early to say, but yeah it has potential.  Wouldn't it be funny that the last trade he makes works out and the Leafs turn it around this season?  That would eat Burke up, the team finally makes the playoffs after he's fired. 

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Burke's final trade as Leafs GM has the makings of being a real solid one. Schenn, so far looking average for Philly, and JVR coming to life for 2 big ones last night!

Of course, but it's early, people did want to strangle JVR before he buried those two last night.

My only worry with him is that he could be yet another streaky scorer.

They could be in real trouble if Grabo, Kessel and JVR get cold around the same time, they have other streaky guys I haven't mentioned too.

What might save them is the fact that they are running three scoring lines, hopefully we can get production from at least one on most nights.