Wayne Simmonds News

The Maple Leafs made it know that they wanted to get tougher to play against heading into 2021 and Simmonds brings some goal-scoring and toughness to the lineup. He's not the 30-goal scorer he used to be and will be a bottom-6 forward in Toronto but has averaged 14 goals, 17 assists (31 points) and 157 hits per 82 games over the last two seasons.

Simmonds was acquired from the Devils on Monday and will make his debut tonight in Colorado. Simmonds is expected to start on a line with Marcus Johansson and Jeff Skinner and should see some power-play time as well. He hasn't had the best year, posting just 24 points (8G / 16A) in 61 games but could see increased usage with the Sabres.

New Jersey also retained 50% of Simmonds' salary. Simmonds was set to become an unrestricted free-agent on July 1 after signing a one-year deal with Devils in the off-season. He registered just eight goals and 16 assists in 61 games as a Devil.

Simmonds was forced to leave Game 2 after being hit by a point-shot by his teammate and is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks with a lower-body issue. Simmonds could return to the Predators lineup if they advance past the first-round, but is expected to be replace by Miikka Salomaki in the meantime.

Simmonds’ production took a predictable hit this season after the Flyers signed James van Riemsdyk in the offseason. Simmonds’ playing time dropped 1:30 TOI/gm this season and has led to him scoring 16 goals and 11 assists (27 points) in 62 games. Simmonds in on-pace for less than 10 power-play goals for the first time since 2013 but should help bolster the Predators power-play, which ranks 31st in the NHL right now.

Simmonds has missed the last seven games with an upper-body injury, but he was back at practice on Tuesday and is expected to play vs. the Penguins on Wednesday. Simmonds, who has 20 goals and 17 assists in 59 games this season, will start on a line with Valtteri Filppula and Jordan Weal and re-claims his spot on the top power-play unit.

Simmonds missed Wednesday’s practice with a lower-body injury that he suffered on Tuesday when he was hit by a Shayne Gostisbehere shot. Simmonds was being re-evaluated on Wednesday, so monitor his status during Thursday’s game-day skate.

Simmonds was hit in the leg by a Mark Streit shot last night and hobbled off of the ice without putting any weight on his leg. Simmonds reportedly suffered a fracture left leg and will miss the rest of the regular season. Simmonds finishes the season with 28 goals and 22 assists (50 points) in 75 games.

The Flyers tried Chris VandeVelde on the top line on Thursday, but will have Simmonds there to start the game tonight. Simmonds is a natural RW who will shift to the left side, but playing with Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux should provide ample scoring chances for the big winger. Simmonds has cooled off after a hot start, but has six goals and three assists with a plus-10 rating in 13 games this season.

Simmonds will open the season on a line with Sean Couturier and Matt Read as he looks to build off of his career-year from a season ago. Simmonds had 29 goals and 31 assists and played a huge role on the Flyers PP, scoring 15 of his goals with the extra man. Despite starting on the third line, there is no doubt that he will be on the top PP unit.

Simmonds is on the ice for the third straight day, so there is a great chance that he will be in the lineup for the season opener after being injured last week. He is expected to skate with Sean Couturier and Matt Read.

Simmonds has been on the ice for the last two days which is a good sign that he will be in the lineup tomorrow vs. the Bruins. Simmonds is coming off of a career-year and appeared to be a candidate to replace Scott Hartnell on the Claude Giroux line, but it looks like he will start the year with Couturier and Read.

Simmonds was listed as day-to-day last week, but getting back on the ice this morning suggests that he might be ready to go in the Flyers' season opener on Wednesday. Simmonds is coming off of a career-year and will be a crucial member of the Flyers' offence again this season.

Simmonds' injury does not to be of the serious variety and he should be fine for the start of the regular season. Simmonds is coming off of a career-year and could record 30-plus goals this year. Monitor his status as the season approaches, but he should be good to go.

SImmonds has no points and is a minus-2 through three games. A move to the top-line with the playmaking Giroux should help him get into the goal column.