Report: James van Riemsdyk linked to four teams according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman

The 2022-23 regular season still has more than two months left, but I don't think the Philadelphia Flyers would mind if the NHL just decided to wrap things up this week. 

After all, the Flyers have been absolutely awful this season and currently sit 24th in the league's standings. They've ridden the ups and downs of a John Tortorella season and, frankly, to me it looks like they're just over it. Things haven't worked out and it's time to turn the page on the season and begin dismantling this tired roster. Actually... scratch that... why not start working on the dismantling already?

GM Chuck Fletcher should be doing everything possible he can to get assets back for pending free agents James van Riemsdyk and Justin Braun ahead of the NHL's March 3rd trade deadline. Braun may not fetch much, but van Riemsdyk is still a versatile forward who could add some depth for a Cup contender.

So... who wants him?

Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported earlier today that the Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets have all expressed interest in JVR.

From Friedman's most recent 32 Thoughts column for Sportsnet:

"James van Riemsdyk’s interest appears to include Dallas, Minnesota, Vegas and Winnipeg. I don’t believe Philadelphia has any real desire to move Travis Konecny unless it’s a whopper of an offer. The Flyers are looking, however, for centres.

- Elliotte Friedman

It's important to note that van Riemsdyk does NOT have a no-trade or no-move clause on his expiring contract, so the Flyers can deal him to any interested party without the need for van Riemsdyk's approval. 

The 33 year old forward has nine goals and 22 points in 35 games with the Flyers this season, following a 24 goal campaign in 2021-22. Again, he's a pending free agent so teams wouldn't have to worry too much about fitting him into their long-term salary cap structure, but he does earn $7 million annually on his current deal. These means that the Flyers will likely have to retain some of his salary in order to facilitate a deal ahead of the deadline.