James van Riemsdyk
ON-ICE VALUE
Top-Six Forward
STRENGTHS
Finish: Van Riemsdyk puts himself in position to score by taking the bulk of his shots from dangerous areas. His wrist shot is quick and accurate, and he can finish well on both the forehand and backhand. His long reach, hair-trigger release and soft hands make him a serious weapon in tight.
Net-Front Presence: Few forwards are as effective in front of the net as JVR. He’s a good screener and tipper. He also does well to slide laterally and create passing targets in close for his teammates. On the power play, he loves posting up on the right side of the net and either dishing between his legs or spinning to his forehand for a shot.
Size: He’s not a bruiser by any means, but 6’3” is still 6’3”. He carries a 217-pound frame and thus possesses the strength to fend off defenders along the boards and in front of the net. He’s a rangy offensive weapon who can be difficult to contain in tight.
WEAKNESSES
Consistency: This issue has plagued JVR throughout his career. He has stretches where he looks like a positively dominant scorer. Then he’ll start coasting for no apparent reason and undo all the progress he made. A more motivated Van Riemsdyk would be a top-line sniper.
Defense: Van Riemsdyk’s intensity is already questionable offensively. It’s barely there in the defensive end, as he’ll put in minimal effort when battling for pucks along the wall or closing out on threats at the point. He often gets caught reaching instead of moving his feet.
