When you think about the Toronto Maple Leafs of the early 2010s, it’s easy to get caught up in the "dark ages" narrative. You remember the missed playoffs, the jersey tossing, and that soul-crushing Game 7 collapse against Boston. But in the middle of all that chaos, there was one guy who just showed up, parked his 6-foot-3 frame in front of the net, and quietly became one of the most efficient goal scorers in modern franchise history.
We're talking about James van Riemsdyk. Or just JVR, if you’ve spent any time in a Blue and White sweater.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild to look back at the trade that brought him here. On June 23, 2012, Brian Burke pulled off what most fans now consider a massive heist. He sent Luke Schenn—a hard-hitting defenseman who had arguably plateaued—to Philadelphia for a 23-year-old van Riemsdyk. At the time, Philly fans thought they were getting the next great shutdown defender. Instead, Toronto got a guy who would score 154 goals over the next six seasons.
He wasn’t the fastest skater. He definitely wasn't winning any Selke Trophies for his defensive work. But man, his hands in tight? Absolute silk.
The King of the Greasy Goal
If you ever watched James van Riemsdyk with the Leafs, you know his office wasn't the high slot or the circles. It was the blue paint. He was basically the heir to the Dave Andreychuk throne. JVR had this uncanny, almost supernatural ability to redirect pucks. You’d see a point shot coming in chest-high, and somehow, he’d get a piece of it and redirect it into the top corner.
It looked like luck. It wasn't.
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He spent hours practicing those deflections. It’s why he was so lethal on the power play. During his peak years in Toronto, specifically the 2013-14 and 2016-17 seasons, he was the guy you banked on to break a tie. He hit the 30-goal mark twice in Toronto, including a career-high 36 goals in his final season (2017-18) before heading back to the Flyers in free agency.
A Quick Look at the Toronto Years
To give you an idea of the consistency we're talking about, just check out the production:
- 2013-14: 30 goals, 61 points.
- 2016-17: 29 goals, 62 points (The year the "Big Three" of Matthews, Marner, and Nylander arrived).
- 2017-18: 36 goals, 54 points.
What’s interesting is how he adapted. When Mike Babcock took over, he didn't just let JVR coast. He pushed him. Even when his ice time dipped as the younger stars took over, JVR's efficiency went through the roof. In that final 36-goal season, he was doing it while playing significantly fewer minutes than he did in the Kessel era.
What Most People Get Wrong About JVR
There’s this lingering idea that JVR was "lazy" because he didn't hit everything that moved or sprint back on every backcheck. That’s sort of a lazy take itself. He was a specialist. You don't ask a master chef to wash the floors; you let him cook. JVR’s "cooking" was being the best net-front presence in the league.
He was also a "real gud pro," to use the Babcock-ism. He was a stabilizing force for Mitchell Marner and Tyler Bozak. That line was legitimately one of the most fun trios to watch during the transition from the "rebuild" to the "contender" phase. Bozak won the draws, Marner did the wizardry, and JVR finished the job.
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Why did he leave?
It basically came down to the salary cap and timing. By the summer of 2018, the Leafs knew they had to pay the big kids. Kyle Dubas had just taken over, and the priority was landing John Tavares. There simply wasn't enough room to give JVR the $7 million a year (over five years) that Philadelphia offered him.
It was the right move for the team’s cap structure, but it left a hole. Even today, watching the Leafs struggle at times to get "greasy" goals in the playoffs, you can't help but wonder what a prime JVR could have done on a power play with Auston Matthews.
Where is he now? (The 2025-26 Season)
As of January 2026, James van Riemsdyk is still grinding. Now 36, he’s currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings. He signed a one-year, $1 million deal with some performance bonuses, and surprisingly, he’s been a bit of a revelation for them.
He’s currently sitting at 12 goals through 39 games. Not bad for a guy many thought was finished after his stints in Boston and Columbus. He’s actually been playing on a line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond lately, proving that even at 36, those hands still work. He recently had a four-game point streak where he looked like the 2014 version of himself, just parking in front and causing havoc.
The Legacy of the Trade
When you look back at the James van Riemsdyk Leafs era, the Schenn trade remains one of the most lopsided wins in Toronto history. Luke Schenn eventually found his game as a veteran depth piece (and won Cups in Tampa), but for the years they were in Toronto, JVR gave the fans something to cheer for when there wasn't much else.
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He scored the 20,000th goal in franchise history. He represented the team at the Olympics. He was a professional in a market that can be incredibly toxic.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Valuing Net-Front Archetypes: When evaluating current Leafs prospects or trade targets, look for the "JVR profile"—players who prioritize hand-eye coordination over raw speed.
- Cap Management Lessons: The JVR departure is a case study in why teams often have to let 30-goal scorers walk to protect the long-term core.
- Appreciate the Specialist: In a league obsessed with 200-foot players, JVR proves there is still massive value in being elite at one specific, difficult skill.
If you’re watching a Red Wings game this week and see #21 tipping in a puck while getting hacked in the crease, just remember—he learned a lot of those tricks under the bright lights of the Scotiabank Arena.
Toronto hasn't quite had a net-front presence like him since.
Next Steps for Your Hockey Deep Dive:
- Compare JVR's shooting percentage during his Toronto years to the current "Big Four" to see how net-front efficiency stacks up against perimeter shooting.
- Review the 2012 trade market to understand just how rare it was for a GM like Brian Burke to land a top-line winger for a struggling young defenseman.