Major turnaround: James Van Riemsdyke isn't signing with the Kraken, opts for the Blue Jackets
Veteran free agent winger James Van Riemsdyk is signing a contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, according to multiple reports.
TSN and The Athletic's Chris Johnston first reported Van Riemsdyk was headed to Columbus. According to David Pagnotta of 'The Fourth Period', the deal is a full contract for one-year at $900k.
Van Risemdyk was previously linked in reports to the Seattle Kraken, although nothing concrete had emerged from insiders about that specific rumor.
Drafted second overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Van Riemsdyk spent two seasons in the NCAA with the University of New Hampshire before officially joining the Flyers in 2009.
After three seasons in Philadelphia, Van Riemsdyk was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, playing six seasons for the team with two 30 goal seasons in his tenure, before returning to Philadelphia as a free agent in 2018, going on to play another 5 years in Philly before signing a one-year contract with the Boston Bruins in 2023.
Van Riemsdyk, 35, had 11 goals, 27 assists & 38 points in 71 games for the Bruins last season, along with a goal and 5 points in 11 playoff games.
Currently, Van Riemsdyk is 41st among active NHLers in games played with 1,011. His 311 goals ranks 28th, with Van Riemsdyk as well having 318 assists & 629 points.
| POLL | ||
Is this a good deal for Columbus? | ||
| Yes | 117 | 81.3 % |
| No | 27 | 18.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
