The Toronto Maple Leafs posted a video on social media with the caption 'Don't blink,' showing James van Riemsdyk scoring a goal when he was a Maple Leaf.
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The former second overall pick in the 2007 draft is an unrestricted free agent in the twilight of his career at age 37.
With the video being posted and JVR's contract status, fans are speculating on a potential reunion for the New Jersey native.
JVR had the best stretch of his career with Toronto; in 413 games, he had 154 goals and 140 assists for 294 points.
Last season with the Detroit Red Wings, in 72 games, he put up 15 goals and 16 assists in incredibly sheltered minutes, averaging just over 11 minutes of ice time.
JVR would provide depth, size on the wing, and some added scoring touch for the bottom six plus a hit of nostalgia for fans - something that seems to be part of the culture change in Toronto.
The Maple Leafs' unusual JVR post immediately caught fans' attention
It is not every day you see a team's social media team drop something about a former player at whim.
However, it is unusual to see a team make a post about a former beloved player in the way the Toronto Maple Leafs did, making a return to their franchise.
For the record, Toronto has not announced a signing, and there are no rumours to speculate on, other than the social media post Toronto's admin posted.
But that post has left fans asking if something could happen between the two sides in the near future. At the same time, it could also be nostalgia-bait content that's trying to farm engagement and impressions on social media and stir up something in the fanbase.
NHL free agency opened on July 1st, and JVR still has not signed with a team.
JVR is very likely to be on his fourth team in four years; would that journey continue that trend with being a depth scoring option for the Toronto Maple Leafs?
James van Riemsdyk could still fill a specific role in Toronto
He still was a good depth option and provided more than adequate scoring given his limited time on ice per night; having someone put up nearly half a point per game in Toronto's bottom six has value.
Because of his incredibly sheltered minutes, that trend will likely continue here in Toronto, as he is good against other teams' bottom sixes, or with a man advantage on the power play, but 5-on-5 play has not been trending in his favour the last few seasons.
He is 6'3, 210 pounds and plays pretty physical, and is still effective around the net, which is something the new Maple Leafs front office could covet for their bottom six.
If he can play physical, provide leadership, and provide depth scoring for around the league minimum salary, it would be a good buy-low signing by this front office.
He is also someone who could see time on the power play this season, likely with the second unit, and was effective there last season with the Red Wings, where he contributed with seven goals and four assists for 11 points.
The problem is Toronto is already in a roster crunch and is projected to be just under the salary cap, factoring in Max Domi is likely going to be on LTIR.
Even with Domi off the roster, the Leafs would likely have to move a player or two off their roster before fitting in JVR; someone in that scenario would have to be the odd man out, especially because they are still pressed up against the cap and might have to trade someone away for the cap relief.
Someone that could be on the outside looking in is Dakota Joshua. Joshua is the only bottom-six forward that was on the roster last season besides Domi, who is on LTIR, and also plays the left wing, which is JVR's position.
Right now, the Toronto Maple Leafs are 2.75 million over the salary cap without Domi being moved to LTIR; with his cap hit off the books, it would be an incredibly tight fit, but you could fit a league minimum contract in there.
Ultimately, only time will tell what to make of this social media post; could it be hinting at a reunion? Potentially, will it actually come to fruition? Only time will tell.
Who will James van Riemsdyk play for next season?
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