The Philadelphia Flyers missed the playoffs this season but it is still fun to keep up with a few of their former players that are having success this postseason.
One of those guys is James van Riemsdyk. The man known as JVR was the second overall pick by the Flyers in the 2007 NHL Draft. Patrick Kane went first overall to the Chicago Blackhawks.
van Riemsdyk played the first three seasons of his NHL career with the Flyers before they traded him to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
JVR spent six years with the Maple Leafs before becoming an unrestricted free agent following the 2017-18 season. He then went back to the Flyers and played there for another five seasons.
James van Riemsdyk was a very good member of the Philadelphia Flyers
This season, he is with the Boston Bruins in a depth role. Of course, Boston is in the playoffs after another great regular season. JVR scored 11 goals and had 27 assists for 38 points in 71 games.
On Saturday night, JVR scored a huge goal for the Bruins against the Toronto Maple Leafs. His goal made it 1-0 and the B's didn't look back from there. They went on to win 3-1 and took a commanding 3-1 series lead.
van Riemsdyk and the Flyers made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 2010 but he hasn't been anywhere close since. He is hoping that this is the year that he can make another deep run with his team.
For the Bruins, they need one more win against the Maple Leafs to move on. If they do, it will be the first time JVR made it even past the first round in a very long time. This has to be a great feeling for him.
At this stage of his career, he is expected to be a solid contributor but far from one of the star players. The Bruins have guys like David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and Charlie McAvoy for those responsibilities.
JVR can just play his game and that will help his team win. It would be cool to see him finally make another deep trip through the playoffs. He was a great warrior for Philly.