A recent report by The Hockey News feels that the New York Rangers should sign former Philadelphia Flyers star James van Riemsdyk.
Remy Mastey Who works as an NHL analyst thinks general manager Chris Drury and his management team should offer Van Riemsdyk a PTO in an effort to sign him to a one-year deal as he would become a depth forward in their middle six players. https://x.com/LeafsNews/status/1276526166858489857
«While training camp is just a couple of weeks away, there is still one player the Rangers could sign who is a perfect fit for their team. That would be none other than James van Riemsdyk,» Mastey wrote «At 35-years-old van Riemsdyk still has some game left in the tank. This past season with the Boston Bruins, he recorded 11 goals, 27 assists, and 38 points in 71 games while averaging 13:30 minutes.
«Fans may also forget that it was just two seasons ago when van Riemsdyk had 24 goals for the Philadelphia Flyers. Van Riemsdyk is the perfect player for the Rangers to give a professional tryout to as he looks to remain in the NHL,» Mastey added.
JVR has played for three NHL organisations throughout his career including two stints with the Flyers who drafted him, the Toronto Maple Leafs and last year the Boston Bruins. Rumors have been circulating around the Internet that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in bringing JVR back as they too are struggling with secondary scoring and have enough cap space to handle a small cap hit.
Adding JVR to the Rangers it makes sense as scoring became an issue during the playoffs especially when the Rangers were only scoring on the power play and not five on five. Beside his hockey IQ and his physical size of 6 foot 3 and 205 lbs, JVR could be instrumental on the Rangers power play and give them an extra weapon to use in key situations.
It remains to be seen on whether the Rangers will attempt this but it certainly would make sense to entertain the idea through a PTO.