Toronto Maple Leafs: How James van Riemsdyk’s Injury Affects the Team
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without James van Riemsdyk for between six-eight weeks with a foot injury, opening up an opportunity for someone else to step up.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without their leading goal scorer James van Riemsdyk for 6-8 weeks with a non-displaced fracture in his left foot. It is uncertain when the winger suffered the injury during the 7-0 blowout loss to the San Jose Sharks, where he only played 15:55 minutes.
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With 29 points in 40 games, van Riemsdyk has also improved his +/- and possession numbers significantly under Mike Babcock. He leads the team with five powerplay goals and nine powerplay points.
He is also second on the team in even strength goals with nine as well as total goals with 14, behind Leo Komarov. Before his injury JVR, was on pace to score 29 goals, 31 assists and 60 points in 82 games.
Since the Leafs acquired JVR for Luke Schenn before the lockout shortened season in 2012-13, he has 89 goals and 89 assists for 178 points in 250 games. He has been played on both the first and second line for Babcock, and the team usually finds success when van Riemsdyk is producing.
In all 16 games that the Leafs have won, JVR has 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) and is a plus 13. In the 24 games the Leafs have lost (including regulation, overtime and shootout), JVR has 13 points (seven goals, six assists) and is a minus 10.
Like many Leafs players, JVR has had a lot of success playing at home with 16 points (eight goals and eight assists) in 18 games. This compares to just 13 points in 22 games on the road.
The one knock on van Riemsdyk’s game has been his inability to use his size to his advantage more, which could help him in his defensive game and retrieve the puck easier on the forecheck. Now with the talented winger out, the Leafs can truly grasp the impact he has on the team when he is in the lineup.
The Leafs announced they have recalled 22 year-old Josh Leivo from the Toronto Marlies, who has been one of their most consistent forwards with 11 goals, 19 assists for 30 points in 35 games. This earned him a selection to the AHL All-Star team along with teammates William Nylander and T.J. Brennan and head coach Sheldon Keefe.
Leivo has only played 16 games in the NHL mainly as an injury call up, but had a tough time making the Leafs this season. He has been an improved player at even strength, with 25 points in 30 games.
While Leivo may not be able to replace JVR’s skill and offensive production, he will at least get an opportunity to show the Leafs he has turned his game around with the Marlies. It should also be a good opportunity for a player like Joffrey Lupul or Shawn Matthias to step up in his absence.
Maintenance day for Bozak and Komarov. Babcock also confirms that Matthias will take van Riemsdyk's spot initially with Bozak and Parenteau.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) January 11, 2016
Matthias is most likely getting the first shot to play on the second line because he has spent time there. However, do not be surprised if Babcock juggles the lines over the next couple of days.
It must be frustrating for JVR, as he has not missed an extended number of games since he was a member of the Philadelphia Flyers. Luckily for the Leafs, an injury like this comes during a season where the playoffs are not a priority.
Next: Should the Leafs pursue Kevin Shattenkirk?
How do you think JVR’s absence will affect the Leafs? Let us know in the comments section below.