James van Riemsdyk's your resident veteran presence the Detroit Red Wings can and will use. There, that's the short answer. And I'm not gonna be vague: van Riemsdyk's gonna lead this team without wearing any fancy letters like a 'C' or an 'A,' but he don't need one.
Experience, grit, toughness, and solid play is what van Riemsdyk brings to the forefront. That'll help the Wings more than they helped themselves last year, but for where he's gonna spend most of his time? Who knows?
As I've said before, putting him on the first line would be a mistake unless nobody looks like they'd belong there in camp. But if you want the blunt truth, Nate Danielson would be a better fit on the first line than van Riemsdyk should he show he's ready for a spot with the Wings.
Why? Listen, van Riemsdyk's a good player, but he's not factoring into your long-term plans. He needs to play a role where he can give you solid minutes, between 12 and 13 per contest, and simply make those "behind-the-scenes" plays that nobody but real hockey fans notice that'll help the Wings win.
James van Riemsdyk could be incredible insurance for the Detroit Red Wings
By insurance, I mean, someone who can come into the top six and play on either the first or second lines if injuries strike. And since he can still produce moderately, it wouldn't be a bad role for van Riemsdyk.
But what am I envisioning? Penalty kill, a defense-first mentality, gritty play, forechecking, winning puck battles, and putting the big-time scorers in position to make something happen.
If van Riemsdyk can give the Wings all that, then he'll put them one step closer to "building a Rome" in Hockeytown once again. Sorry, but I just had the hit song from Cain's Offering pop into my mind, so I thought I'd reference it.
James van Riemsdyk's intangibles are his No. 1 asset
Still, nothing will give van Riemsdyk more value for this young Red Wings team than for him to be that unsung leader. It's an advantage of having someone heading into their age-36 season who can still play, but ain't expected to put up Patrick Kane-like numbers.
When van Riemsdyk's finished in Detroit and he plays the leadership role, a lot of Wings fans will look back at that intangible and remember his short stint that showed those leadership qualities as a contribution to what might be another championship-caliber team a few years from today.
So, let's hope van Riemsdyk's hanging around the third or even the fourth line. Ideally the fourth, as it'd mean guys like Elmer Soderblom, Jonatan Berggren, and maybe Carter Mazur are pulling their weight. But when it comes to leadership, he should be the gold standard.