James van Riemsdyk

[Redleaf]

I cant stop making the comparison to Dave Andreychuk. JVRs got roughly the same size and skillset, and has been scoring the same types of goals.

If JVR is our 1993 version of Andreychuk, then Reimer is the '93 Potvin. Frattin bears a slight on-ice resemblance to Wendel (without the bite). Grabovski could be Borschevsky, and Kessel, Gartner. We still need our '13 version of Gilmour. ;D

EDIT: I'd like to audition Ryan O'Reilly for that role.

 

[sickbeast]

I cant stop making the comparison to Dave Andreychuk. JVRs got roughly the same size and skillset, and has been scoring the same types of goals.

If JVR is our 1993 version of Andreychuk, then Reimer is the '93 Potvin. Frattin bears a slight on-ice resemblance to Wendel (without the bite). Grabovski could be Borschevsky, and Kessel, Gartner. We still need our '13 version of Gilmour. ;D

EDIT: I'd like to audition Ryan O'Reilly for that role.

interesting comparisons but you have given the best case scenarios for our current players. You could theoretically add Lupul for Gilmour, but like I said this is really far fetched.

 

[Redleaf]

I cant stop making the comparison to Dave Andreychuk. JVRs got roughly the same size and skillset, and has been scoring the same types of goals.

If JVR is our 1993 version of Andreychuk, then Reimer is the '93 Potvin. Frattin bears a slight on-ice resemblance to Wendel (without the bite). Grabovski could be Borschevsky, and Kessel, Gartner. We still need our '13 version of Gilmour. ;D

EDIT: I'd like to audition Ryan O'Reilly for that role.

interesting comparisons but you have given the best case scenarios for our current players. You could theoretically add Lupul for Gilmour, but like I said this is really far fetched.

No doubt it's far fetched. I was just having a little fun.

BTW, the Lupul/Gilmour comparison isn't too bad. 

EDIT: Re: Reimer/Potvin. For some reason, I don't see Reimer fighting the goalie at the opposing end of the rink anytime soon, but you never know..

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=YaLO1m-08SI&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DYaLO1m-08SI

 

[Corn Flake]

I actually think Kadri has a little bit of Gilmour in him. 

He's fiesty, fast, a tad undersized but plays way bigger than he is, brilliant passer and playmaker.. the motor is always running on full.. and with some of his newfound interest in defensive zone work, maybe he's got some two-way centre in him too.  If Kadri can develop that fierece competitiveness that Douggie had, he could be right there.

 

[Redleaf]

I actually think Kadri has a little bit of Gilmour in him. 

He's fiesty, fast, a tad undersized but plays way bigger than he is, brilliant passer and playmaker.. the motor is always running on full.. and with some of his newfound interest in defensive zone work, maybe he's got some two-way centre in him too.  If Kadri can develop that fierece competitiveness that Douggie had, he could be right there.

I can see the likeness to Gilmour in Kadri. Like you said, his two way game isnt even close to the game Dougie played, but some of the other traits are certainly there.

 

[Corn Flake]

I actually think Kadri has a little bit of Gilmour in him. 

He's fiesty, fast, a tad undersized but plays way bigger than he is, brilliant passer and playmaker.. the motor is always running on full.. and with some of his newfound interest in defensive zone work, maybe he's got some two-way centre in him too.  If Kadri can develop that fierece competitiveness that Douggie had, he could be right there.

I can see the likeness to Gilmour in Kadri. Like you said, his two way game isnt even close to the game Dougie played, but some of the other traits are certainly there.

I'd have to do more digging but I don't think Douggie was all that known for his defense early in his career either.  It also took him about 4-5 seasons to become a top end offensive threat too.

Then again I would be happy with the offensive output being at that level as well as the competitiveness and will to win, which were Gilmour's finest traits. 

 

[Redleaf]

I actually think Kadri has a little bit of Gilmour in him. 

He's fiesty, fast, a tad undersized but plays way bigger than he is, brilliant passer and playmaker.. the motor is always running on full.. and with some of his newfound interest in defensive zone work, maybe he's got some two-way centre in him too.  If Kadri can develop that fierece competitiveness that Douggie had, he could be right there.

I can see the likeness to Gilmour in Kadri. Like you said, his two way game isnt even close to the game Dougie played, but some of the other traits are certainly there.

I'd have to do more digging but I don't think Douggie was all that known for his defense early in his career either.  It also took him about 4-5 seasons to become a top end offensive threat too.

Then again I would be happy with the offensive output being at that level as well as the competitiveness and will to win, which were Gilmour's finest traits.

Didn't Gilmour play defence early on in his career? Maybe in the minors? I thought I heard that years ago.

 

[Frank E]

Somebody source us a more recent picture of JVR.

The one on the main page looks like he's at his grade 8 graduation wearing one of his Dad's ties.

 

[Britishbulldog]

I was cynical of JVR coming here on a big 2nd contract which I also detest being given to any player without a franchise tag.

I am being slowly converted over to being impressed with him.

 

[Courtnall]

Haha, I just watched this is 40 and JVR was in it. I'm sure it's been already said.

 

[Redleaf]

I actually think Kadri has a little bit of Gilmour in him. 

He's fiesty, fast, a tad undersized but plays way bigger than he is, brilliant passer and playmaker.. the motor is always running on full.. and with some of his newfound interest in defensive zone work, maybe he's got some two-way centre in him too.  If Kadri can develop that fierece competitiveness that Douggie had, he could be right there.

Funny. Kadri was compared to Gilmour on the Saturday night broadcast. Not sure who said it.

 

[rdowdall]

I actually think Kadri has a little bit of Gilmour in him. 

He's fiesty, fast, a tad undersized but plays way bigger than he is, brilliant passer and playmaker.. the motor is always running on full.. and with some of his newfound interest in defensive zone work, maybe he's got some two-way centre in him too.  If Kadri can develop that fierece competitiveness that Douggie had, he could be right there.

Funny. Kadri was compared to Gilmour on the Saturday night broadcast. Not sure who said it.

Kelly Hrudey.

 

[Erndog]

There was a play Saturday night where some Leaf (can't remember) had the puck along the boards about center ice and was skating into the Habs zone, and JVR BOLTED through the netural zone, skating past all the Habs and catchuing up to the Leaf to make it a 2 on one.

He was right in the center of the ice and I had visions of him maybe playing center.  His speed was fantastic on that play... though... maybe the Habs D were on a long shift and tired (tough to tell).

Anyways, I got thinking that maybe, just MAYBE we could *try* him at center at some point if need be.  Lupul-JVR-Kessel. 

Hey, I know he's probably better off on the wing, and I'd leave things alone too for now, but if we ever have a slump or some injuries or something, I'd like to see him play some center.  David Backes turned PWF to center and is quite good at it.  Never know...

 

[Corn Flake]

I actually think Kadri has a little bit of Gilmour in him. 

He's fiesty, fast, a tad undersized but plays way bigger than he is, brilliant passer and playmaker.. the motor is always running on full.. and with some of his newfound interest in defensive zone work, maybe he's got some two-way centre in him too.  If Kadri can develop that fierece competitiveness that Douggie had, he could be right there.

Funny. Kadri was compared to Gilmour on the Saturday night broadcast. Not sure who said it.

Kelly Hrudey.

I WANT CREDIT! 

 

[bustaheims]

I actually think Kadri has a little bit of Gilmour in him. 

He's fiesty, fast, a tad undersized but plays way bigger than he is, brilliant passer and playmaker.. the motor is always running on full.. and with some of his newfound interest in defensive zone work, maybe he's got some two-way centre in him too.  If Kadri can develop that fierece competitiveness that Douggie had, he could be right there.

Funny. Kadri was compared to Gilmour on the Saturday night broadcast. Not sure who said it.

Kelly Hrudey.

I WANT CREDIT! 

You want to be Kelly Hrudey?

 

[Champ Kind]

I cant stop making the comparison to Dave Andreychuk. JVRs got roughly the same size and skillset, and has been scoring the same types of goals.

If JVR is our 1993 version of Andreychuk, then Reimer is the '93 Potvin. Frattin bears a slight on-ice resemblance to Wendel (without the bite). Grabovski could be Borschevsky, and Kessel, Gartner. We still need our '13 version of Gilmour. ;D

EDIT: I'd like to audition Ryan O'Reilly for that role.

COmpletely different player.  I loved Andreychuk but JVR's skill set is way broader.  Not sure if Andreychuk would have the career he had now with new rules limiting hooking, cluthching, grabbing, etc.; his skating was mediocre at best.  JVR, on the other hand, can fly.

I've said it one before, but while we're giddy with modest early-season succes and making outlandishly optimistic comparisons, I'd like to throw in that I see a bit of young Sundin in JVR.

 

[Corn Flake]

Anyways, I got thinking that maybe, just MAYBE we could *try* him at center at some point if need be.  Lupul-JVR-Kessel. 

Hey, I know he's probably better off on the wing, and I'd leave things alone too for now, but if we ever have a slump or some injuries or something, I'd like to see him play some center.  David Backes turned PWF to center and is quite good at it.  Never know...

Yeah, I've seen a bunch of plays he's made that look like the type a centre would make, in both zones at times. he operates a lot more freely and dangerously when he's in the middle of the ice on the rush. That said, Kessel is far more dangerous with room in the middle too. 

I could see it happening still, but of course there is so much phanfare in this town over even an attempt at it that it's not likely to happen without it being a fill-in situation due to injury.

 

[Corn Flake]

I WANT CREDIT! 

You want to be Kelly Hrudey?

I want to replace him!!!  Gimme a salary for babbling about whatever comes to mind, CBC!

 

[Redleaf]

I cant stop making the comparison to Dave Andreychuk. JVRs got roughly the same size and skillset, and has been scoring the same types of goals.

If JVR is our 1993 version of Andreychuk, then Reimer is the '93 Potvin. Frattin bears a slight on-ice resemblance to Wendel (without the bite). Grabovski could be Borschevsky, and Kessel, Gartner. We still need our '13 version of Gilmour. ;D

EDIT: I'd like to audition Ryan O'Reilly for that role.

COmpletely different player.  I loved Andreychuk but JVR's skill set is way broader.  Not sure if Andreychuk would have the career he had now with new rules limiting hooking, cluthching, grabbing, etc.; his skating was mediocre at best.  JVR, on the other hand, can fly.

I've said it one before, but while we're giddy with modest early-season succes and making outlandishly optimistic comparisons, I'd like to throw in that I see a bit of young Sundin in JVR.

You're doing a big disservice to Andreychuk with these comments. He may have been a bit slower, but he's also one of the highest scoring left wingers in NHL history, and is the league's all-time leader in power-play goals with 274. The clutching and grabbing you speak of was usually carried out by the opposing teams defense upon him to try and remove him from the front of their net.

 

[Champ Kind]

I cant stop making the comparison to Dave Andreychuk. JVRs got roughly the same size and skillset, and has been scoring the same types of goals.

If JVR is our 1993 version of Andreychuk, then Reimer is the '93 Potvin. Frattin bears a slight on-ice resemblance to Wendel (without the bite). Grabovski could be Borschevsky, and Kessel, Gartner. We still need our '13 version of Gilmour. ;D

EDIT: I'd like to audition Ryan O'Reilly for that role.

COmpletely different player.  I loved Andreychuk but JVR's skill set is way broader.  Not sure if Andreychuk would have the career he had now with new rules limiting hooking, cluthching, grabbing, etc.; his skating was mediocre at best.  JVR, on the other hand, can fly.

I've said it one before, but while we're giddy with modest early-season succes and making outlandishly optimistic comparisons, I'd like to throw in that I see a bit of young Sundin in JVR.

You're doing a big disservice to Andreychuk with these comments. He may have been a bit slower, but he's also one of the highest scoring left wingers in NHL history, and is the league's all-time leader in power-play goals with 274. The clutching and grabbing you speak of was usually carried out by the opposing teams defense upon him to try and remove him from the front of their net.

What I'm saying is that a slower player with great hands could be quite productive because, in general, the game was slower.  Ray Shepherd, Dino Ciccarelli, etc. were of the same mold.  Andreychuk's hands were fantastic and he was a big, strong body.  JVR, on the other hand, is an explosive, off-the-rush type of player who I think can put up very good numbers in the modern, fast-paced NHL.  This is why they're different types of players, yet could be equally productive.