As training camp nears, the Boston Bruins are considering offering Professional Tryout Offers (PTOs) to veteran forwards Blake Wheeler and Kailer Yamamoto. The Bruins have recently added Elias Lindholm to their roster to play as the top-line center, but they still have an opening at the second-line right wing position. While younger players from the Providence Bruins, such as Georgii Merkulov and Fabian Lysell, could potentially fill this role with a strong camp performance, General Manager Don Sweeney may prefer to begin the 2024-25 season with more experienced and reliable options.
One such veteran option is James Van Riemsdyk, who played for Boston in the 2023-24 season and is currently a free agent. The 35-year-old winger, who primarily plays on the left side, could provide depth and experience, similar to what Danton Heinen offered after signing a PTO with the team last year. Van Riemsdyk had a solid start to last season but saw his production decline over time, finishing with 11 goals and 27 assists in 71 regular-season games. He also contributed a goal and four assists in 11 playoff games. Throughout his NHL career, Van Riemsdyk has accumulated 311 goals and 318 assists in 1,011 regular-season games, making him a seasoned option if the younger prospects are not yet ready.
Van Riemsdyk’s experience and presence in the locker room make him a strong candidate for a PTO, especially since he understands the demands of playing in the NHL. At 35, he may not be as agile as he once was, but his ability to drive to the net and contribute on the power play still makes him a valuable asset. While ideally, Van Riemsdyk would prefer to sign a one-year contract, time is running out in the offseason, and a PTO with Boston might be a sensible choice given his familiarity with the team and his preference for staying on the East Coast.
For the Bruins, bringing back Van Riemsdyk on a PTO would provide a sense of continuity and security as they head into the new season. It would allow the team to evaluate their young prospects while also having a dependable veteran presence available, should they need it. This move could benefit both parties, providing the Bruins with additional depth and giving Van Riemsdyk another chance to prove his value in the league.
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