The Detroit Red Wings brought in veteran scorer James van Riemsdyk last offseason to bolster the club’s young, burgeoning core.
The deal was pretty straightforward and made sense for the club. The 36-year-old signed a one-year deal for $1 million, plus incentives.
It was the sort of low-risk, high-reward moves that contending teams make each offseason. For van Riemsdyk, it was another kick at the can. At this stage in his career, he can’t afford to be choosy about the opportunities in front of him.
He took his opportunity and ran with it, scoring 15 goals in 72 games. Initially, he was tapped to be on the top line with Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin. However, van Riemsdyk slid down the lineup as the season progressed.
That’s precisely what makes van Riemsdyk a great piece to have on the team. He’s not the type of selfish player that wants to score goals for his sake. He’s a team player and wants to do well to help them team.
It’s veterans like that who help teams get over the hump. While that didn’t happen this season, there’s no reason why it can’t happen next season. More importantly, the Red Wings need depth, and that’s something that van Riemsdyk brings to the table.
Losing another veteran could make van Riemsdyk more valuable to Red Wings
While the Red Wings are a team brimming with young talent, many of the uber-talented players coming up the system are still learning the NHL ropes. That situation begs for the team to bring in as much veteran talent as possible.
But there’s another key reason why the Red Wings just can’t afford to let van Riemsdyk go. Another veteran, Patrick Kane, might not be back next season. If he doesn’t return, there will certainly be a hole in the Red Wings’ lineup.
Now, Kane’s spot in the top-six will likely go to one of the up-and-coming prospects. For instance, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard should get a look in the top six, if such an opportunity arose. They could also build an entire third line around Kane, should they choose to.
But the trickle-down effect throughout the lineup would leave room for someone else to hit the lineup. That’s why van Riemsdyk would make a ton of sense. If Brandsegg-Nygard or another prospect just isn’t ready for the big time, van Riemsdyk could step in and provide cover on, say, the second line.
While the idea solution would be to target a bona fide top-six scorer, the Red Wings need depth. And that’s what van Riemsdyk is. Since he isn’t likely going to cost much, Detroit can’t afford to let him go. He’s the sort of player who can plug holes while being a consummate gamer.
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