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Carlyle on Van Riemsdyk’s move to center: ‘I don’t have anybody else’

jvrgetty
When you combine injuries to Dave Bolland and Tyler Bozak with Nazem Kadri’s suspension, it’s clear that the Toronto Maple Leafs are in trouble at center. Head coach Randy Carlyle didn’t smokescreen people when asked if that’s why James van Riemsdyk has been moved to the middle.

Carlyle to @reporterchris when asked about JvR at centre: “I don’t have anybody else, & you’re a smart enough guy, you can figure that out.”

— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) November 16, 2013


When asked if JVR should shoulder some blame as the Maple Leafs struggle - including Friday’s 3-1 loss to Buffalo - the natural winger simply said “that’s not for me to decide.”The numbers don’t look very good so far, as TSN’s Mark Masters points out.

Last 5 games for JVR: 0 points, 11 shots, -3, 6 PIM & 40% face-off percentage

— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 16, 2013


Those are some rough stats, but Masters noted a tidbit that’s probably more telling: tonight marked the first time Toronto took more shots than its opponents since Oct. 5.

Sometimes it’s more comforting for people to scapegoat a single player, though.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins