As we approach the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, the trade deadline is right around the corner. For the Leafs, there are a number of potential acquisitions who make plenty of sense to help bolster the current group. However, not all of them will be affordable to the Buds.
One player, according to Sportsnet's Jeff Marek, who is expected to be moved at the deadline is none other than former Leaf James Van Riemsdyk. JVR played 6 seasons for the Leafs from 2012 to 2018 after being acquired in a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenseman Luke Schenn.
JVR is in the final year of his current contract, which carries a $7M cap hit. Assuming the Flyers are willing to retain 50% of JVR's salary, he could be of interest to the Leafs. While he's not necessarily the definition of a 200-foot player, JVR does one thing extremely well; stands in front of the net, causing chaos for goaltenders and tipping in pucks. This skill set could be immensely valuable come playoff time when the defense tightens up and teams rely more on deflections and "garbage goals" to get by.
