Philadelphia Flyers: James van Riemsdyk is currently the most important player
As everyone wonders if and when the NHL might resume play, Philadelphia Flyers winger James van Riemsdyk has taken on a critical new role.
James van Riemsdyk didn’t have a very good 2019-20 regular season for the Philadelphia Flyers, and I gave him a C- on my “year end” report card for him. But now he might have a chance to salvage that grade with some extracurricular activity, as JVR was recently named to the league’s Return to Play Committee, a group that will try to hammer out the details of where, when and how the NHL will get back to playing games.
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It’s no small task for the well-respected veteran, as he joins four other active players on the panel, most notably Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid. The players clearly need to have a big voice in these discussions, with all of their concerns and opinions brought to the table. JVR and company are filling an important role by gathering information from their teammates and opposing players alike so that the best possible solution can be struck.
It’s a bit of an honor for van Riemsdyk, and a clear sign that he is highly regarded by his peers. That being said, nobody ever expected to be part of a committee like this, so everyone is hoping that this will be a one-and-done situation. It won’t be a walk in the park discussing such important matters with league higher-ups and members of the medical community, but it’s a job that has to be done. Credit to the league and the players’ association for getting together in a critical situation.
No one individual has the power to tip the scales and force a decision by the league one way or another, and there’s a chance that circumstances beyond their control render their efforts moot. But JVR has accepted this responsibility so that he can help the committee come to a decision that strikes the best balance of safety and financial compensation for the players, who are currently facing some potentially large monetary losses because of the league shutdown.
The matters discussed by van Riemsdyk and the other committee members in the coming weeks could have a dramatic long-term effect on the league. For JVR, it could end up being a nice part of his legacy, which is saying a lot for a player closing in on 500 career NHL points.
When the Flyers take to the ice once again, they will depend on the likes of Carter Hart, Ivan Provorov, and others to help them fulfill the promise that this season was starting to deliver. James van Riemsdyk will have to play a part in that as well. And until that time, he’s the one Philadelphia Flyer who can have a hand in helping to make it happen.
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He’s always been more of a goal-scorer, but this could be the biggest assist that JVR ever earns.