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Boston Bruins: Why James van Riemsdyk is a good backup plan

By Sam Minton

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 25: James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Toronto Maple Leafs reacts after Jake DeBrusk #74 of the Boston Bruins scored during the third period of Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round in the 2018 Stanley Cup play-offs at TD Garden on April 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Maple Leafs 7-4. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 25: James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Toronto Maple Leafs reacts after Jake DeBrusk #74 of the Boston Bruins scored during the third period of Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round in the 2018 Stanley Cup play-offs at TD Garden on April 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Maple Leafs 7-4. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Bruins are currently engulfed in the John Tavares chase, but they may have a nice backup plan in the form of James van Riemsdyk.

You may have spent the first round of the playoffs rooting against James van Riemsdyk, but he may end up playing for the Boston Bruins. The Bruins are among a large group of NHL teams that are interested in the 29-year-old.

van Riemsdyk is a veteran of the league who sure knows how to put the puck in the net. Last season he scored 36 goals and 18 assists for the Toronto Maple Leafs. These are some solid numbers, but not as great as the 50 point season that van Riemsdyk had earlier in his career. It is clear that van Riemsdyk is built for a smaller role, and shouldn’t be a team’s main scorer.

That’s one of the reasons JVR would fit well in Boston. He would slide into the second line where he wouldn’t be the primary scorer. We all know when the Bruins need a goal they are going to send out the first line.

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van Riemsdyk also has ties to New England as he played college hockey at the University of New Hampshire. He spent two years at the school and scored 28 goals and 46 assists.

A quality backup plan

van Riemsdyk is a solid backup plan if the Bruins are unable to land John Tavares. Obviously, you would want to get Tavares, but van Riemsdyk is a quality scorer.

If you paired van Riemsdyk with David Krejci they could become a dangerous duo.

After the rough exit in the playoffs, it was clear that the Bruins could use a scoring boost. It seemed like all the scoring was coming from the Bruins first line.

Next: Re-signing Sean Kuraly is the right move

James van Riemsdyk definitely isn’t the Bruins first option, but if they can’t land John Tavares, JVR is still a solid pickup.

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