The Rat Trick
Fansided

Florida Panthers: Seven Forwards the Cats Could Target this Summer

By Jonathan Reichenberger

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 08: Florida celebrates the eventual game winner from Florida Panthers left wing Maxim Mamin (78) during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers on April 8, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Panthers defeated the Bruins 4-2. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 08: Florida celebrates the eventual game winner from Florida Panthers left wing Maxim Mamin (78) during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers on April 8, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Panthers defeated the Bruins 4-2. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 9
Next

#3 James van Riemsdyk

TORONTO, ON – APRIL 16: James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Boston Bruins in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 Stanley Cup Play-offs at the Air Canada Centre on April 16, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 16: James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Boston Bruins in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 Stanley Cup Play-offs at the Air Canada Centre on April 16, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

After yet another solid year of hockey, James van Riemsdyk will become a free agent this summer. One thing that Panthers could use more of next year? Goals. JVR tallied 36 goals this season which was good enough to double the amount of assists he had. In result, he finished with 54 points in 81 games. JVR is a big bodied forward that the Panthers will likely be interested in this summer, knowing very well what he could bring to this roster.

JVR is the typical forward that the Panthers organization is looking for. He scores a lot and has a big/physical presence which is good for around goal. He can stand in front of goal on power plays and score those much-needed gritty goals. He can also score in a skilled manner in those in-tight corners, where room is hard to find.

Unfortunately, getting JVR to come down to South Florida will be difficult to come by. The market for his services will be huge, demanding a hefty contract in result. It’s going to be up to the Panthers’ front office to decide if they want to give JVR not only a long-term contract, but also a contract that will lock up some of their salary space for a while. To put it simply, is his production worth that much money?

When free agency rolls around, the Panthers will likely be one of the teams inquiring about his services. There is a decent chance that JVR plays in South Florida this season, but if the price gets too high, the Panthers should certainly pass on him.

Signing Salary Prediction: 6 years/$42 million ($7M AAV).

Home/Editorials