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Detroit Red Wings acquire 1000 game veteran: It's being revealed as Yzerman's best transaction of the summer
The Detroit Red Wings and GM Steve Yzerman added 1000-game NHL veteran James Van Riemsdyk to the team, a former 1st-round pick in the same draft as Patrick Kane, and it's the best move he's made in 2025.
The Detroit Red Wings need a top-six forward. But for a lineup to be complete, you need a full complement of middle-six players, too.
James Van Riemsdyk checks a lot of boxes for the team. He's a 900-game NHL veteran who has seen plenty of playoff games during his time in the NHL and has experience as a leader.
He's thrived in Boston, where he scored 38 points (11-27) and played on special teams. Experience he'll put to good use on a Red Wings team that needs help in secondary scoring and on the power play.
One-Year in Hockey Town for JVR
JVR will play in Detroit for a year, as he signed a 1-year contract in July to play with the Original Six team. The honor is all his.
Just being consistent day in and day out,» van Riemsdyk said in his introductory Zoom call with the media, also on July 2.
In 2024-25, he played with the Columbus Blue Jackets, scoring a total of 36 points in 71 games, and he can offer the kind of versatility that Steve Yzerman can appreciate.
Over the course of his 15-year career, he's found a way to be a flexible and well-rounded player that teams can make a spot for anywhere in the lineup.
In addition to the kind of player he's turned out to be late in his career ( middle-six forward with scoring capabilities), he's familiar with Justin Holl, and Patrick Kane, a player he was drafted with in 2007.
«[Kane] is one of my really good buddies and we've obviously been through this whole journey over the years together in a lot of ways,» van Riemsdyk said.
Which should be a calming experience; especially when learning the ins and outs of a new locker room, it's best to learn the lay of the land.
Justin Holl and JVR train together in the offseason in Minnesota, too, which helps make the transition that much easier.
JVR may turn out to be another one of the guys who finds Detroit home sooner than expected due to his ability to make friends and have connections in the lineup already.
A real bargain value add for Steve Yzerman in July. The only question is where does the 1st-round pick end up after this season?
Previously on Detroit Hockey Insider
| POLL | ||
AOUT 4 | 795 ANSWERS Detroit Red Wings acquire 1000 game veteran: It's being revealed as Yzerman's best transaction of the summer Will forward James Van Riemsdyk score 36 points or more with the Detroit Red Wings? | ||
| More | 463 | 58.2 % |
| Less | 332 | 41.8 % |
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