Calgary Flames: Ten free agents they should target at Free Agency

10 – James Van Riemsdyk

James van Riemsdyk is an interesting name that I haven’t heard a whole lot of people buzz about him. He’s very good on the powerplay which is one of the issues the Calgary Flames need major fixing on. The problem with JVR is that his PP is one of the only good things about him.

This season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he spent the majority of the time on the third line (and first PP unit). For what he may be asking for which could be higher, if not at least similar, to his previous contract ($4.5 million AAV), that may be too expensive for a third liner whose great on the powerplay but average otherwise. Another somewhat con of JVR is that he’s a left-shooting LW, which is exactly what the Flames don’t need. However, wingers can generally alternate without facing too many problems.

While this is unlikely, if the Flames can lock him down on a $3 million AAV contract that isn’t longterm, I think they should go for it. He can help provide some secondary scoring – another issue the Flames were facing this past season – and even play at the top-six level when/if needed. If he’s going to be around $5 million on say a six-year deal. I would be opposed to that. He’s 29 years old and will start hitting his decline in a couple of years.

The good news about JVR is that he has been improving with his goal scoring over the last few years. So who truly knows the full extent of what he could provide to the Calgary Flames.

He’s number ten on this list because it’s unlikely for him to sign for that cheap with the Flames and it wouldn’t be worth it for the team otherwise.