Veteran ahead James van Riemsdyk, 35, has signed a one-year take care of the Columbus Blue Jackets, bringing each his goal-scoring capability and management to a staff that can face vital challenges this season. After the tragic lack of star participant Johnny Gaudreau, the Blue Jackets are in want of skilled gamers who may help fill the void each on and off the ice.
Van Riemsdyk matches the invoice completely.
As GM Don Waddell to The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline, whereas van Riemsdyk is probably not the quickest participant at this stage of his profession, the winger’s constant capability to attain in double digits every season is one thing the Blue Jackets desperately want. Additionally they want a locker room glue man. Each are issues Gaudreau dropped at the staff earlier than his tragic passing.
van Riemsdyk’s 12 objectives and 27 assists with the Boston Bruins show he can nonetheless produce, even in a extra restricted position. However extra than simply his scoring, van Riemsdyk is understood for being a participant who will present assist and steering to teammates, particularly in a season that’s positive to be emotionally and mentally taxing. “The hockey world, we’re a brotherhood,” he stated. “We glance after one another and attempt to be there for one another, and that’s going to be a component of this.”
James van Riemsdyk Is Simply What the Blue Jackets Want Proper Now
Totally conscious of the tough circumstances in Columbus, van Riemsdyk is able to tackle the problem, not of making an attempt to fill the skates of Gaudreau, however merely being current within the face of inauspicious days. “We’re going to assist one another as a lot as we presumably can.”
For a staff dealing with grief, van Riemsdyk’s management can be simply as essential as his scoring capability. His expertise and character make him a useful addition to a Blue Jackets staff that can inevitably battle to compete with out their finest participant however could also be trying to simply present up on many nights with the best mentality.
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