Philadelphia Flyers Sign James VanRiemsdyk To An Entry-Level Contract

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have signed the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, James van Riemsdyk, to a multi-year deal starting in the 2009-10 season.

Van Riemsdyk also signed an amateur tryout contract for the remainder of this season and was assigned to the Philadelphia Phantoms.

He's eligible to play his first game tonight, as the Phantoms face off against the Albany River Rats of the AHL at the Wachovia Spectrum.

Don't be surprised to see him play a few games with the Flyers by the end of the season. Riley Cote is injured right now, and if van Riemsdyk performs good in a couple of games with the Phantoms, I think the Flyers could call up their top prospect.

If JVR can show something in two-three games for the Phantoms before the end of the NHL season, I think it would fantastic for the Flyers to have him replace Cote on the roster.

It all would fall into place.

Daniel Carcillo would be bumped down to the fourth line, which wouldn't make him too happy, and van Riemsdyk would be inserted with Mike Richards and Joffrey Lupul.

In all seriousness, this is great for the Flyers because it was getting close to the point where van Riemsdyk must come out of the college ranks.

Hopefully, we get to see him up for the Flyers at some point sooner rather than later. If he shows something with the Phantoms, maybe bringing him up to play with the big boys in the playoffs wouldn't hurt.

Just my two cents.