James Van Riemsdyk Out 6-8 Weeks

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without its leading scorer, James van Riemsdyk, for the next six to eight weeks after he fractured a bone in his left foot.

The injury comes in the middle of one of JVR’s most consistent stretches of play this season for the Leafs. In his last 26 games played, JVR had scored 10 goals, chipped in 13 assists and tallied 23 total points. The forward had four goals, five assists, nine points and one power play goals in his last 10 games. He had a seven game point streak that went from December 21-January 6, where he had nine total points. In 40 games played, he had 14 goals, 15 assists, 29 points and five power play goals in 17:45 of ice time per game.

JVR leads the teams with 29 points and is third in assists with 15. He also is second on the Leafs with 14 goals, one behind Leo Komarov for the team lead. His five power play goals lead the team and the 129 shots on goals are second on the team. JVR has contributed nine power play points and 20 points at even strength. He has only been held pointless in three straight games twice this season.

The Leafs recalled forward, Josh Leivo from its AHL Affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, to take JVR’s spot in the lineup. Leivo has played 16 games for the Leafs and has two goals, one assists, three points and four penalty minutes. In 35 games played for the Marlies, Leivo has 11 goals, 19 assists, and 30 points. He is also a plus 10, has 10 penalty minutes and 95 shots on goal. Leivo was recently named an AHL All-Star.

Leivo has put the put in the net at the lower levels, but the big question is can he do it in the NHL at a consistent pace? In his AHL career, he has 45 goals in 150 games played to go with 61 assists for 106 points. He is a plus 28 with 372 shots on goal and 83 penalty minutes. Leivo was second on the Marlies in goals (11), assists (19), points (30) and power play goals (5).