When the Toronto Maple Leafs traded Phil Kessel it didn’t just impact Phil Kessel – it impacted the entire first line.

The Toronto Maple Leafs first unit of JVR-Bozak-Kessel has had significant amount of offensive success because of the talent that Phil Kessel possesses – and that’s going to become very clear this year.

Perhaps no Toronto Maple Leafs player flew more silently under the radar from criticism than James Van Riemsdyk.

The underlying statistics for JVR aren’t good – there’s no two ways about it. We can enjoy his solid offensive production from an all-inclusive view – 149 pts in 210 games (0.71 ppg) – but it doesn’t tell the whole story, nor does it give any credit to the player that was recently run out of town.

James Van Riemsdyk was a 40-45 point player when the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired him. He’s now a 55-60 point player. Is it the maturation process and development of a young player? Or was it who he played with?

That doesn’t look too good for Van Riemsdyk.

It also doesn’t help that he was cast into a role that is clearly above his ability. Van Riemsdyk was a first line player by default playing wingman with Phil Kessel. He has under-performed each season in Toronto – with 2014-2015 being a complete disaster.

Again, this statistic doesn’t bode well for Van Riemsdyk. Stephen Burtch’s dCorsi60 indicates over/under performance in a players role. Van Riemsdyk is on the negative side of things each year as a Leaf.

Take away his powerplay points and isolate his 5v5 play – which is what should be regarded as the most valuable time on ice – and the picture doesn’t get any prettier.

Decline, decline, decline.

Van Riemsdyk’s greatest accomplishment in Toronto may be how he’s flown so quietly under the radar. The local tabloids were so concerned with torching Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf that Van Riemsdyk was able to coast along below them seemingly undetected.

The 2015-2016 season is going to be the real test for James Van Riemsdyk. If he’s playing with Tyler Bozak, he’s almost assuredly doomed. Nazem Kadri, the Toronto Maple Leafs best possession player, may be able to shelter him better.

As it stands now the Toronto Maple Leafs have a great perceived trade chip in James Van Riemsdyk. The value right now on the winger may never be higher. He’s a player with a good amount of points over several years on a cap friendly hit for the next three seasons; he’s by no means difficult to trade.

The question is: what will James Van Riemsdyk do this year – without Phil Kessel?

That’s the question that needs answering. If his overall play continues to trend down, it may be time to move on from Van Riemsdyk and cash out on a maximum return.

It’s hard to predict what he’ll actually do this year under Mike Babcock and, potentially, new line-mates – but his history as a Toronto Maple Leafs player isn’t on his side.