The Boston Bruins have been connected to two experienced forwards, Blake Wheeler and Kailer Yamamoto, who could receive Professional Tryout Offers (PTOs) from them as training camp draws near. Elias Lindholm, who was acquired by the Bruins to play top-line center, is currently available to play second-line right wing. Providence Bruins forwards Georgii Merkulov and Fabian Lysell are contenders to fill that vacancy with a good camp, however, General Manager Don Sweeney might be searching for more proven, safer choices, at least to begin the 2024-25 season.
James Van Riemsdyk, a veteran who played for Boston in 2023–24 and is a free agency without a contract, is another experienced player who might be a trustworthy choice. The 35-year-old wing Van Riemsdyk, who mainly plays on the left side, may sign a PTO with the team and offer some insurance, much like Danton Heinen did prior to the 2018–19 campaign. Van Riemsdyk had a strong start to the previous season but lost steam as it progressed, ending with 71 regular season games played with 11 goals and 27 assists. In 11 postseason games, the 6-foot-3, 207-pound forward contributed four assists in addition to one goal.
In 1,011 regular season games, Van Riemsdyk has 311 goals and 318 assists overall. In the event that the prospects in line are not quite ready, the Middletown, New Jersey native provides a reliable veteran option. Van Riemsdyk, who was a positive influence in the locker room and is aware of the demands of playing in the NHL, would benefit from a PTO. Even though the 35-year-old former UNH standout is heavy in the legs, any NHL team might benefit from his determination to get to the net and menace on the power play.
Van Riemsdyk would prefer to sign a one-year deal, but because the offseason is running out, it could be a better idea to stick with Boston, an East Coast franchise he is familiar with. And Boston’s team may have the same kind of ease.
The Patriots Need to Take Care of This Before Drake Maye Starts.
Fans have been excited to see Drake Maye light it up every time he steps on the field since the Patriots selected him with the third overall choice in the draft. However, thus far in training camp, that hasn’t been the case.
In the second preseason game, the 21-year-old showed off his arm talent and made a compelling argument to start in Week 1. Although offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and head coach Jerod Mayo have since modified their opinions on the quarterback competition, they still think Jacoby Brissett should start the regular season.
On the most recent episode of “Foxboro Rush,” Travis Thomas and Geroge Balkeji of NESN had different opinions from the coaches. Balekji stuck to his conviction that New England should wait things out, despite Thomas’s strong support for Maye’s potential to start right away.
They also agreed that the Patriots’ offensive line is still a major issue and that Mayo and the coaching staff would be unwise to start Maye. Balekji says he would rather not see Maye during the regular season because Thomas felt that the rookie quarterback should be prepared for success.
Balekji and Thomas know that Vederian Lowe, a guy they don’t think highly of, is allegedly battling with a “minor” ailment, and that this might spell trouble for the offensive line. The Patriots’ opening schedule doesn’t look good either, since every club has a strong pass rush.
Although Maye’s talent and potential to become the Patriots’ franchise quarterback are undeniable, Balekji and Thomas do not want to see the 2024 first-round pick wasted unless there is a major improvement made to the offensive line.
