Fansided

25 top NHL free agents teams will be dying to sign in 2018

By David Rouben

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 30: James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders battle for the puck during their game at the Barclays Center on October 30, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 30: James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders battle for the puck during their game at the Barclays Center on October 30, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 16: James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Boston Bruins in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 Stanley Cup Play-offs at the Air Canada Centre on April 16, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 16: James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Boston Bruins in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 Stanley Cup Play-offs at the Air Canada Centre on April 16, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

2. James van Riemsdyk

Ever since arriving in Toronto, James van Riemsdyk has gone from Phil Kessel’s tag-team partner on the top line to bottom-six forward who specializes in the powerplay. Ironically, the latter role saw him put up the best goal tally of his career. By contrast, having 18 assists isn’t a good look, but half of them came on the powerplay, and his linemates at even strength aren’t particularly good at finishing chances.

The reason why van Riemsdyk is ranked ahead of Carlson is because he’s much more likely to hit the open market. While the Leafs have holes at center and defense, they are stacked with talent on the wings. Patrick Marleau is still on the books for two more seasons, while Andreas Johnsson and Kasperi Kapanen will transition to the Leafs full-time after impressing in the back half of last season.

Combine all that with the fact that extensions for Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner remain a top priority, it’s highly unlikely we’ll see JVR back in a Leafs uniform. But while they have talent on hand to replace him, they’re going to miss him more than they realize and should be kicking themselves for not getting anything for him at the deadline.

Why he’s in demand: There’s a common misconception that van Riemsdyk has peaked and it’s a matter of when, not if, he regresses. This season didn’t come out of nowhere — he has averaged 31 goals over the last four full seasons. The reason why he scores so many power play goals is because he parks himself in front of the net while his big body makes him a nuisance to remove from that spot. That skill doesn’t just go away because of a change of scenery. And if he winds up on a team in need of a top-six forward spot, he’ll have room to improve.

Sure, his shooting percentage will regress, and he might not put up another 35-goal season. But the notion that he’ll become a shell of himself is simply untrue.

Teams with the best chance to sign him: It would be nice to see him join forces with his brother in Carolina. At least that way his family won’t be split over which team to cheer for.

Out West, the two best options for him would be the San Jose Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights. If Vegas loses one or both of their free agent wingers, he’ll have a clearly defined role on the second line. And if the Sharks can pair him with Joe Pavelski, his frequent center when he plays for country, he’ll feel right at home.

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