James van Riemsdyk reportedly signs a PTO contract

This just in, according to multiple online reports free agent forward James van Riemsdyk has signed a professional tryout (PTO) contract with the Seattle Kraken.

Check it out:

The 35 year old former 2nd overall pick (2007 NHL Entry Draft) scored 11 goals and 38 points with the Boston Bruins last season, playing just 71 games in a limited role. He hit 24 goals just two seasons ago with the Philadelphia Flyers. He's a long way from the height of his career with the Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs when he was regularly scoring 25+ or even 30+ goals a season about a decade ago, but he's still a worthwhile offensive contributor. 

He'll be in tough to secure a top spot on the Kraken's offensive lines with Matty Beniers, Jordan Eberle, Jaren McCann, Jaden Schwartz, Andre Burakovsky and Chandler Stephenson all with spots locked up. Where I think a guy like JVR can help is by playing alongside 2022 4th overall pick Shane Wright. Van Riemsdyk knows the pressure of being a top draft pick and not necessarily living up to his billing as a young man. JVR ended up building a nice career for himself though and his habits could rub off on a young, impressionable player like Wright. Honestly, the two players' skill sets compliment each other also. Stay tuned, but I think this is a great pick up for the Kraken.