The Detroit Red Wings were active this offseason, adding more depth to the roster to hopefully end their nine-year playoff drought.
The Red Wings didn’t make any splashy moves this offseason; instead, Detroit focused on adding depth and being harder to play against. One of the players that the Red Wings signed was James van Riemsdyk to a one-year, $1 million deal.
van Riemsdyk could add some secondary scoring to the lineup, but Red Wings insider Max Bultman of The Athletic has the veteran on the fourth line to begin the season.
“James van Riemsdyk would likely have similar questions, but would still be another potential fit, as a veteran who brings size and an ability to score in the hard areas. However, he has missed all of camp so far while tending to a family matter,” Bultman wrote. “So while I first planned to put van Riemsdyk in that spot, it just seems like a big ask for him to come in this late and then play on the top line to start the season.”
Part of the reason why Bultman has van Riemsdyk on the fourth line is due to the fact that he has missed training camp.
But van Riemsdyk could work his way up the lineup as he adds some secondary scoring. He recorded 16 goals and 20 assists for 36 points in 71 games last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
van Riemsdyk Explains Decision to Sign With Red Wings
Detroit moved quickly to sign van Riemsdyk once free agency opened, and he felt like it was a good fit for him.
“Going through the free agency process, when [the Red Wings] started showing some interest, it seemed like a good fit,” van Riemsdyk said. “Especially with the trajectory of where the team is trying to go and trying to make a push for the playoffs next year, so that was exciting for me. The history of it being an Original Six [team] was obviously super exciting too. I have a lot of familiarity with a lot of guys too, so that definitely checked a lot of boxes in that way.”
Once he signed with the Red Wings, van Riemsdyk admitted he wasn’t sure what his role would be. But, he knows wherever he is in the lineup, he can be a leader and add some secondary scoring.
“Especially over the last few years, I think as you get older in your career, obviously you have your calling cards as a player,” van Riemsdyk said. “You have to find ways to be a bit more versatile, add value in different ways to a team and being able to contribute in different ways, so I think I’ve been able to add some different things to my game that can make me be able to play in different spots all over the lineup.”
van Riemsdyk has skated in 1082 career NHL games.
Detroit GM Hopes Team Makes Playoffs
The Red Wings are in the midst of a nine-year playoff drought, but general manager Steve Yzerman hopes that comes to an end.
Yzerman believes the team is better than they were last season and is confident the team can take that next step.
“Today, I think our team is a little bit more competitive,” Yzerman said. “Maybe constructed a little better than it was at this stage last year, so I’m hopeful that we take a step…Overall, I think we’re a little bit better. How many points does that translate to in the season? We’re going to find out.”
The Red Wings open their season Oct. 9 against the Montreal Canadiens.
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