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.
Couturier was hurt in a collision with Mathew Barzal late in the second period and did not return for the third. Head coach Alain Vigneault did not have an update on Couturier's status on Wednesday but said that he was "still being evaluated." Consider Couturier a game-time decision for Game 6.
Sandin was a 23-year-old undrafted free agent out of Sweden. The centre spent the last three years in the Swedish Elite League and is coming off of a year where he led HV71 Jonkoping in goals (19) and was second in points (36).
Seeler and Lucas Carlsson have been alternating games over the last month and Seeler will come out tonight vs. the Sharks after dressing for the last two games.
Couturier's status for Sunday's game is up in the air so the Flyers recalled Joel Farabee from Lehigh Valley (AHL) as insurance. If Couturier can't play, Claude Giroux will move to centre and Farabee will draw into the lineup.
Seeler and Lucas Carlsson continue to rotate in and out of the lineup and tonight is Seeler's chance to sit. He played 13:56 TOI in St. Louis on Tuesday.
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.
Seeler was a healthy scratch in Dallas on Sunday but will replace Lucas Carlsson in the lineup on Tuesday. Since joining the Blackhawks, Seeler has picked up one assist, one shot and seven PIMS in three games.
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.
Philadelphia will be the eighth different team Thompson has played for across his 13-year career. He registered four goals and 10 assists in 63 games with Montreal this season, playing almost exclusively on the fourth-line. He's expected to see similar usage with the Flyers.
