Philly agrees to long term deal with James (not that one, sorry)

With NHL free agency set to begin tomorrow, July 1, news has already trickled out on at least one big name and where he’ll be headed. It’s a James, and he’s taking his talents to Philadelphia.

No, not Lebron James. We’re talking James Van Riemsdyk, former Toronto Maple Leaf and one of the most sought after pieces the NHL has to offer in the upcoming market.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear there will be any fun, drawn-out waiting period like we’re seeing right now with John Tavares. Van Riemsdyk has made his choice, and come Sunday he will be headed back to the team that originally drafted him in ’07, the Philadelphia Flyers.

The market hasn’t even opened yet and we’re already sad that the drama could be over soon.

Van Riemsdyk, a second overall pick, played three seasons for Philly before being traded in the 2012 offseason to the Leafs. In the six years since, he’s scored 154 goals and 294 points, including a career-year in goals this past season with 36.

He’ll be coming back to a club that made the postseason with 98 points in a crowded Metropolitan Division, and the talent in Flyers land is a bit overwhelming now with Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, Wayne Simmonds, Jakub Voracek and Shayne Gostisbehere already on the roster.

The numbers won’t be finalized until tomorrow, but with a mountain of cap space available to them, we expect somewhere in the $7 million to $8 million range. Philadelphia fans, you may not be seeing Lebron take to your home court on a nightly basis, but the addition of Van Riemsdyk should be exciting in and of itself.

The Metropolitan Division just got a whole lot tougher.

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