The Detroit Red Wings are adding offence to their roster for the new season. James van Riemsdyk has signed a one-year contract worth $1 million. Van Riemsdyk, a 16-year veteran, joins his fifth team with his latest contract.
James van Riemsdyk Signs with Red Wings
James van Riemsdyk 1 x $1M
Detroit
17th NHL season
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2025
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With the Columbus Blue Jackets last season, van Riemsdyk scored 16 goals and added 20 assists for a total of 36 points.
The 36-year-old has scored 327 goals in his career. In 12 of van Riemsdyk’s 16 seasons, he scored 15+ goals. In seven of those seasons, he scored 20+ goals. Furthermore, van Riemsdyk scored 30+ goals twice.
Role With New Team
The 36-year-old continues to produce on offence. His days of 30+ goals are behind him, but that does not mean van Riemsdyk is no longer an asset. The point totals may be down, but the productivity remains.
For the Red Wings, van Riemsdyk can play on the top-nine forward lines as well as get time on the power play. Just two seasons ago , van Riemsdyk recorded 12 points on the power play, including six goals. The New Jersey native only scored one goal with the man advantage last season, so he will be looking to find his power-play groove again with the Red Wings.
Milestone Watch
Van Riemsdyk signs his new contract with a personal history on the horizon. The forward enters the 2025-26 season approaching a milestone. The forward is 35 points away from 700 points in his career. Van Riemsdyk averages 50 points a season, so it seems more than reasonable to think he could reach 700 points this season. Van Riemsdyk has recorded 35+ points in 12 of his 16 seasons.
The odds certainly favour a milestone moment happening at some point this season for van Riemsdyk. Perhaps it will come on the road in New Jersey, where he is from.
End of the Road?
At 36 years old, van Riemsdyk could be approaching the end of his NHL career. However, given his continued production, he may be interested in playing a few more seasons. That will be determined next summer.
Main Photo: Russell LaBounty- Imagn Images
The post Former 36-Goal Scorer Signs With the Detroit Red Wings appeared first on Last Word On Hockey .