When James van Riemsdyk, 36, signed as a free agent with the Detroit Red Wings in the 2025 offseason, the move was met with little fanfare. When general manager Steve Yzerman signed the veteran forward to a one-year deal worth $1 million, many pundits saw the addition as a depth move, possibly a 13th forward on the roster, type of move.
Maybe a way for Yzerman to plug a gap in the bottom six of the forward corps, or just an excuse for Yzerman to leave someone like Elmer Soderblom or Nate Danielson in Grand Rapids for another season. Yet, as the 2025-26 NHL season has unfolded, van Riemsdyk has quietly emerged as one of Detroit’s most valuable contributors.
van Riemsdyk is primarily slotted in as a bottom-six forward at even strength. He's embraced his role with remarkable effectiveness. While he’s not logging top-line minutes at this juncture of his career, his presence on the ice is always felt, whether through his relentless forechecking, smart positioning, or the subtle plays that often go unnoticed by the casual fan.
But it’s on the power play where the veteran truly comes alive, carving out space in front of the net and providing a critical screen for Detroit’s shooters, tipping shots, and looking to deposit the trash after a rebound or mad scramble in the dirty areas.
From a statistical standpoint, van Riemsdyk’s season is quietly impressive. Through the midway point, he’s tallied a solid number of goals and assists given his ice time, contributing nine goals and 11 total points. While these traditional numbers may not leap off the page, a closer look at his underlying metrics reveals his true value to the Red Wings’ lineup.
Analytically, van Riemsdyk posts strong possession numbers, often finishing games with a positive Corsi For Percentage. On the season, it sits at 51.5—a sign that Detroit tends to control the puck when he’s on the ice. His individual expected goals (ixG) rates are among the best of the team’s bottom-six forwards at 10.87, primarily due to the quality scoring chances he generates from the low slot.
James van Riemsdyk is becoming a surgeon on the power play for the Detroit Red Wings
On the power play, his individual high-danger chances are 17, well above the league average for net-front specialists, reflecting his ability to turn chaos into scoring opportunities. In comparison, last season in Columbus, that stat was six on the year.
The year prior, with Boston, it came in at 49. So, it appears as though Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan is putting van Riemsdyk in the best position to succeed. JVR has totaled three goals and one absolute highlight-reel assist on the power play this season. Check out his filthy mitts below.
James van Riemsdysk with the NUTMEG assist to Dylan Larkin that sent the game to OT 🤯 pic.twitter.com/B4PR3oxzY2
— TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) December 24, 2025
van Riemsdyk's contributions in 2025-26 are impossible to ignore. What once seemed like a modest offseason signing has quietly become one of Yzerman’s smartest moves—proof that in hockey, the most impactful players aren’t always the most celebrated.
As the Red Wings push for a playoff berth, van Riemsdyk’s steady hand, net-front artistry, and commitment to the team’s success will remain an essential part of McLellan's formula for winning hockey.