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NHL Trade Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs F James van Riemsdyk

By Ryan Ritchie

Dec 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (25) skates ariund the net with the puck as San Jose Sharks defenseman David Schlemko (5) pursues at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (25) skates ariund the net with the puck as San Jose Sharks defenseman David Schlemko (5) pursues at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Trade Rumors: Calgary Flames defenseman Dougie Hamilton (27) during the face off against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Trade Rumors: Calgary Flames defenseman Dougie Hamilton (27) during the face off against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto trades F James van Riemsdyk and D Roman Polak to Calgary in exchange for D Dougie Hamilton and F Emile Poirier

Here are two guys that could help Calgary make a serious run in the playoffs.  JVR would fill a longtime need on that top line since Gaudreau and van Riemsdyk both have a bit of versatility to play their off wing.

Polak is hardly a replacement for Dougie Hamilton, but his physical defensive presence would be a welcomed addition.  Calgary would need to mix things up, possibly put Giordano and Brodie together on that top pair (force one to play the right side).  It could allow for Jyrki Jokipakka to slide up on that second pairing with Dennis Wideman, while Polak settles in alongside Deryk Engelland.

For Toronto, they add the defender they should have drafted (along with Tyler Seguin).  Hamilton would likely force Zaitsev down to the second pairing with Gardiner and fills a desperate need for a right-handed shot.

The addition of Emile Poirier is a bit of a sweetener that just hasn’t worked out so far in Calgary.  The 22-year-old was a first round selection back in 2013, but only has appeared in eight NHL games.  Toronto would be hoping that a change of scenery might spark the Montreal-born LWer.

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