2010 Playoff stats: 3G 3A -4
Grade: B
It would be a little unfair to compare JVR to his 2007 NHL Entry Draft counterpart, Patrick Kane (30G 58A +16). Sure the Flyers were the worst team in the league in 06/07 and very much deserved the 1st overall pick and to have Kane in the Orange & Black. But alas they received the 2nd pick in the draft and took James van Riemsdyk. And since this was JVR's rookie year, I was a little lenient with the grading.
Van Riemsdyk had hot and cold stretches this season. He started off the 2009 season looking like a Calder Trophy candidate. But then from January 30th to the end of the season he managed only 4 points a -6 rating. Van Riemsdyk showed in 09/10 that he needs a little more time in the NHL to mature as a productive player. Many have compared JVR to Columbus's Rick Nash, and if he even dreams of becoming nearly as good as Nash, van Riemsdyk needs to spend the majority of his time this offseason in the weight room putting on some serious muscle.
The Flyers are looking for a little more consistency out of JVR this season and if he plays alongside Claude Giroux, the goals will certainly come. And hopefully with a little more consistency.
2010/2011 Predictions: 21G 28A -2
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