JVR bringing a healthy dose of optimism
Veteran forward is putting the team first and contract situation a distant second
James van Riemsdyk is paying a lot of attention to details, and it’s not just his duties on the ice for the Leafs.
This season is a contract year for the popular winger; his six-year, $25.5-million (U.S.) deal is up and the 28-year-old has been keeping an eye on deals signed by other NHLers in his situation. He’s also been paying plenty of attention to his body.
He remains dedicated to a nutrition regimen that includes various supplements to promote general health and recovery.
That’s why, on Wednesday morning, when the subject of pickle juice was brought up as a naturally occurring liquid to fight dehydration, van Riemsdyk was well aware of it.
“These days, most guys are trying a lot of things to help battle dehydration,” van Riemsdyk said when asked about the briny juice, which was linked to New Jersey Devils centre Blake Coleman as a method to fight dehydration.
Earlier this week, Coleman told New Jersey reporters about his habit of sipping pickle juice on the bench.
“I drink it because of cramp problems. It helps prevent cramps,” Coleman said. “I really tried everything to figure out my cramps, but that’s just the one thing that really works.”
Though he hasn’t tried the unconventional tactic himself, van Riemsdyk doesn’t judge.
“I’ve heard of pickle juice . . . and hey, if it works, why not? The game is always about getting better and stronger. You have to watch what you put into your body, and stay ahead of things like recovery and nutrition.”
That general philosophy of getting better and stronger is one van Riemsdyk shares with several NHLers, including Jonathan Quick and Max Pacioretty, who have trained with Ben Prentiss. Prentiss’s gym in Stamford, Conn., is near van Riemsdyk’s former off-season home in New Jersey.
Prentiss turned van Riemsdyk toward the protein-focussed diets common for high-performance ath- letes. Prentiss also stressed a current trend: the elimination of sugars. While Van Riemsdyk recently moved his off-season home to Minnesota, he has kept in contact with Prentiss, even co-ordinating with the long time trainer on building a gym in his new home.
Van Riemsdyk, who has played the full 82-game schedule in two of the last three seasons, set career highs in assists (33) and points (62) last season, while scoring 29 goals, one shy of his career high of 30.
“Just general health overall, and feeling better in terms of recovery and strength,” said van Riemsdyk, who even uses a health-oriented shampoo. “It’s obviously important to what’s going on when you’re on the ice.”
In the meantime, van Riemsdyk remains focused on the season, but knows his contract — like his nutrition — is an important part of his career.
The Leafs will be at a crossroads with their roster when the season ends. In addition to deciding on van Riemsdyk’s future with the organization, they have their big three young- sters to consider. William Nylander’s entry-level contract ends after this season, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner will be in their final year next season.
Van Riemsdyk would like to keep contract talks apart from his on-ice focus. He realizes the team is in a special place — at the front end of developing a long-term winner — and he’d like to remain a part of that.
However, he has built himself into an offensive threat with a viable 25plus goals performance level. That places him in a comparables market with stars like 30-year-old T.J. Oshie, who signed an eight-year, $46-million extension with Washington in June, and Alex Radulov, who signed a free-agent deal at 31 with the Dallas Stars in early July that will pay him $31.25 million over the next five years.
“You go into the season, and, of course, you are aware of what’s going on with other players,” van Riemsdyk said. “But . . . I’m focused on team goals and I want to help this team achieve them. All that other stuff, my agent is there, and it tends to take care of itself.”