The Tampa Bay Lightning should consider inviting this former Boston Bruins forward to training camp.
The Tampa Bay Lightning should consider inviting this former Boston Bruins forward to training camp.
The Tampa Bay Lightning would be wise to look for more forward depth before the start of the season. While they have had a busy offseason, adding another top-nine option to their group would not hurt.
With it so late into the offseason, the free-agent market does not have too many big-name players left. While this is the case, the Lightning could consider sending out at least one professional tryout (PTO) contract for their upcoming training camp.
One specific player who could be a perfect PTO target is veteran winger James van Riemsdyk.
Van Riemsdyk, 35, showed this past season with the Boston Bruins that he is still a serviceable top-nine forward. In 71 games for the Original Six club, he recorded 11 goals and 38 points. He also had five points in 11 playoff games for Boston. With numbers like these, he would have the potential to give the Lightning some decent secondary production.
While van Riemsdyk had a solid year in 2023-24, it may be best for the Lightning to go down the PTO route before potentially signing him to a short-term deal. It would allow them to see if he could fit their lineup first rather than immediately inking him a deal.
Nevertheless, van Riemsdyk could be a very solid player for the Lightning to take a look at during training camp. If signed to a cheap one-year pact, he could be a solid addition to their third line and power play.
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