He’s definitely going to miss his pal and linemate, but overall, Leafs winger James van Riemsdyk says he likes the off-season changes the NHL team has made.

Van Riemsdyk said that with the way the team collapsed the past two seasons to free fall out of playoff contention, big moves were inevitable. So when the team’s leading scorer, Phil Kessel, was dealt last month to Pittsburgh, it hardly came as a surprise.

“We’re good friends and I enjoyed playing with him for three years, but we know when things end the way they did the last two years, there is going to be change,” van Riemsdyk told NHL.com. “Obviously (Kessel) is the guy they decided to move. When one of your friends moves, it’s one of those things you feel emotional about.”

Kessel and van Riemsdyk were linemates for the majority of JVR’s time here and also played together for the U.S. at the Sochi Olympics. Like most of the Leafs, the pair went into a late-season funk, leading to inevitable changes.

Van Riemsdyk said the hiring of Mike Babcock as coach and Dr. Jeremy Bettle as director of sports science and performance illustrates the commitment the team has to be headed in the right direction.

“You see what they’re doing, obviously, on the outside with the hiring of different people in management and coaches,” van Riemsdyk told the league website. “But the stuff behind the scenes, the things they’re doing to track performance and health is all very encouraging.

“They’re making the commitment and that starts up top with ownership. They’re making a commitment to different things to really make sure there is no excuse if you put the work in.”

Van Riemsdyk, who led the Leafs in goals last season with 27, also praised the hiring of Lou Lamoriello as general manager. JVR was a beneficiary of Lamoriello’s work in developing minor hockey in his native New Jersey.

“I probably wouldn’t be playing in the NHL if it wasn’t for Lou Lamoriello and what he did for hockey in this area,” van Riemsdyk said. “I’m excited to get to know him on a more personal basis.”