NHL Trade Rumors: Maple Leafs listening to offers for James van Riemsdyk

The Toronto Maple Leafs are listening to offers on forward James van Riemsdyk. The left winger is playing well with 12 goals and 21 points in 29 games this season.

HNIC's Nick Kypreos said:

The name JVR has been out there the last little while. I can tell you there’s nothing going on in terms of hard offers but teams are asking about him and the Leafs are willing to listen. They know that he wants a long-term deal and that’s a deal that can start negotiations as early as July.

But they will hold him at a premium, much like [Phil] Kessel, they think that rate of return could be out there for JVR.

A new contract can be negotiated with JVR beginning on July 1, 2017. The 27 year old is currently signed through to the end of next season to a $4.25M cap hit contract.