The NHL trade deadline always treats us with some late drama. This time the drama centered on Philadelphia Flyers’ veteran forward James van Riemsdyk and his failed trade to the Detroit Red Wings.
It was no secret that the Flyers wanted to move van Riemsdyk, considering the fact that he is set to become a free agent in the summer. There were plenty of interested parties, but the Red Wings sent the best offer, and it seemed that the deal would be wrapped up before the trade deadline on Friday. But the deadline came and went, and the 33-year-old player is still in Philly.
According to multiple reports, for the Red Wings to land van Riemsdyk, the franchise needed to make an additional roster move. Detroit failed to do so and couldn’t pull off the trade. The Flyers, on the other, didn’t have enough time to get a deal done with another team.
James van Riemsdyk was in fine form for the struggling Flyers in 2022-23, scoring nine goals and dishing 14 assists for a total of 23 points. But with Philly having no ambitions for the remainder of the campaign, it would have been in the team’s best interest to move van Riemsdyk.
If the trade was finalized, the Flyers would have probably picked another draft pick that could help them throughout their rebuilding phase. But now they will see van Riemsdyk leave for nothing in the offseason, as it seems there is no interest between the two sides for an extension.
