There was much on the NHL resume of forward James van Riemsdyk that encouraged the Detroit Red Wings to sign him as an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Start with his six seasons of 20+ goals. They include a pair of campaigns in which JVR cleared the 30-goal plateau. He scored a career-high 36 goals for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2017-18.

Then there’s van Riemsdyk’s work as a net-front presence. It seems as if the Red Wings have been seeking a steady performer to harass goalies and work the net front since Tomas Holmstrom retired in 2012.

James van Riemsdyk, signed 1x$1M by DET, is a veteran net-front winger. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/8I1Th9Puyg

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 1, 2025

That net-front work can also prove invaluable to the Detroit power play. As impactful as that unit was last season, finishing fourth overall in the NHL, it did so without a dangerous net-front performer.

“He’s a useful power play guy,” Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman said of van Riemsdyk.

Red Wings Think JVR Can Play Effectively On Any Line

Finally, an aspect of JVR’s value that might be overlooked by many is his versatility.

“What we do like is that we think we have a lot of flexibility, in that he can go up and down the lineup,” Yzerman said. “And if you check his usage (last season) in Columbus, that’s exactly what he did.

“He was a little bit up. He could play up with some on their first line at times, he can be equally effective up and down.

“In talking with (Red Wings coach) Todd (McLellan), as we were looking at players, you kind of see where they go, and he was one who could go here, here, and there.

“There’s some flexibility for Todd now with his line combination.”

James van Riemsdyk has signed with the Detroit Red Wings to a one-year, $1M deal. He can earns more money with performance bonuses. Very good deal for Detroit in my opinion. James van Riemsdyk is still an effective player. pic.twitter.com/jhQ9kF7UeT

— Rono (@RonoAnalyst) July 1, 2025

The Red Wings were unable to land the top-six forward they were hoping to get this summer. It wouldn’t be surprising to see JVR taking some shifts on the top line alongside Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond.

At the same time, seeing him working alongside Marco Kasper and perhaps Patrick Kane in a second-line role could prove effective. He’d also fit in a third-line role. At 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, van Riemsdyk brings some size to Detroit’s lineup.

JVR Willing To Take On Whatever Role He’s Asked To Fill

At 36, he isn’t going to be the imposing power forward that van Riemsdyk was in his prime.

“I think as you get older in your career, you have kind of your calling cards as a player,” van Riemsdyk said. “And I think, too, you have to find ways to be a bit more versatile and add value in different ways to a team, being able to contribute in different ways.

“I think I’ve definitely been able to add some different things to my game that can make me be able to play in different spots all over the lineup.”

Used correctly, JVR can prove to be an effective addition to the Detroit lineup.