Five free agents the Tampa Bay Lightning should avoid

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Apr 11, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers left wing James van Riemsdyk (25) against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Free agents for the Tampa Bay Lightning to avoid: James van Riemsdyk

2022-23 season – 29 points in 62 games played (12 goals)
2023-24 projected salary – $1,800,000

Jame van Riemsdyk never lived up to the five-year, $35 million contract he signed in 2018. He never topped 50 points after signing the contract, and this past season had just 29 points and 12 goals.

At a projected salary of $1,800,000, it is tempting to pick up a veteran forward that is still capable of scoring 40 points if healthy for the entire season.

But much like Nyquist, van Riemsdyk doesn’t fit the mold of what Tampa will need to replace Corey Perry potentially. While Philadelphia did have decent 5 v 5 numbers while van Riemsdyk was on the ice this past season and had a 52% goal share while he was on the ice, they did so by having him extremely protected.

He started 61.25% of his 5 v 5 shifts while the puck was in the offensive zone and 55.8% of faceoffs in the offensive zone. He doesn’t hit, just 16 hits on the season, and his 19 blocked shots were less than even Nikita Kucherov.

He also had two extended stints on the injured list this past season.

So if all Tampa would get is 40 points but none of the little things, van Riemsdyk is a player that will disappear in a heart beat come playoff time.

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