Flyer trade James van Riemsdyk to Red Wings

The Philadelphia Flyers traded forward James van Riemsdyk to the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Van Riemsdyk has not quite regained his usual scoring prowess from previous years, scoring nine goals in 41 games for the Flyers in 2022-23. The 33-year-old underwent finger surgery at the end of October, which left him inactive for more than a month.

The New Jersey native is in the final season of a five-year, $35 million ($7 million cap hit) contract he signed with the Flyers in 2018. He was drafted by Philadelphia with the second overall pick in the 2007 draft. As a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, he was a 20-goal perennial and spent six years with the franchise before rejoining Philadelphia as a free agent.

Philadelphia already has its sights set on the drawing lottery and currently ranks seventh in the competitive Metropolitan Division.

There’s more to come.