Rookie Report: James van Riemsdyk

-Rookie Report-

With 2nd overall pick in the 2007 draft the Flyers selected Middletown New Jersey breakout star James vanRiemsdyk. Controversy inclined soon after. Jvr decided that college was the best option for his development, while the Flyers though other wise. After a season at UNH, Jvr turned his focus toward the NHL and becoming an everyday player. Going into the season unsure if he would even make the roster Jvr fought through it and made the opening day roster.

Through his first month Jvr had gone 5 games beofre scoring his 1st NHL goal versus Florida. He finished the year with some highs and lows, scoring droughts cancelled out by amazing potential inspiring goals. He finished the regular season with 15 goals and 20 assists in a solid 78 games, 6 of the goals were game winners.

Slumping into the playoffs the Flyers were going to need a complete turn around if they want to last. Jvr carried a 16 game goal-less streak in Game 7 versus Boston, where when the Flyers need a goal most and Jvr came through scoring a goal and pushed the Flyers toward the Win. van Riemsdyk finished the playoffs with a sad 3 goals and 3 assists, the Flyers expected more from the 15 goal scorer in the regular season.

A 99 game season is tough for any 20 year old. But it gave him a real idea on what it takes to be a winner in this league.

Jvr has areas to improve in his game going into the offseason. His 6'3" frame gives hopes of a great power forward, but at 200 lbs he's a string bean. If Jvr hits the gym, he is a jersey boy, he could gain 15 or 20 pounds of muscle and become a force in front of the net and add a lot of strength to his already extremely powerful shot.

Jvr's shot was his best quality going into the season and was on to begin the year. However toward the ladder part of the year that shot was not being used and was not seen for long stretches. Mostly due to his lack of strength to get to the shooting positions. He must work on finding his hot spots and learning when to shoot and when to pass.

Going forward into next year Jvr will most likely see an increase of minutes with moves potentially coming in Philly. Giroux and van Riemsdyk found a chemistry late and Jvr stole some of Claude's passing touch and the two were connecting great plays on a nightly basis. These two could make for a great 2nd line for the Flyers playing beside a guy like Carter or Briere.