This former Bruins forward is proving that he still belongs in the NHL with this new team.
During the 2023 NHL off-season, the Boston Bruins signed James van Riemsdyk to a one-year, $1 million contract. In 71 games with the Original Six club, he had 11 goals, 38 points, and a plus-7 rating. However, after going ice-cold down the stretch, van Riemsdyk was not brought back by Boston this past summer.
van Riemsdyk spent much of the 2024 NHL off-season before landing a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sept. 15.
van Riemsdyk's start in Columbus was a bit shaky, as he had just nine points in his first 31 games with the Metropolitan Division club. However, he has broken through his cold start and is now thriving with his new team.
Over his last 18 games, van Riemsdyk has posted seven goals and 16 points. With numbers like these, van Riemsdyk is showing that the Blue Jackets made the right call taking a shot on him. In addition, he has improved his season totals to 11 goals and 25 points in 49 games. That's solid production from a player carrying a $900,000 cap hit.
The Blue Jackets are one of the several Eastern Conference teams fighting for a playoff spot, and JVR has been helping their chances. Let's see how he builds on his hot streak from here.
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