Nashville Predators trade for Wayne Simmonds

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 16: Wayne Simmonds #17 of the Philadelphia Flyers directs his teammates in the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Wells Fargo Center on February 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-5 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 16: Wayne Simmonds #17 of the Philadelphia Flyers directs his teammates in the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Wells Fargo Center on February 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-5 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Nashville Predators have announced they’ve traded for former Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds.

The 30-year-old right winger Wayne Simmonds, formerly of the Philadelphia Flyers, has been traded to Nashville Predators in exchange for Ryan Hartman and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2020.

Simmonds had been tied to the Predators for a while. James van Riemsdyk’s arrival made his departure inevitable. But certainly not any easier for the Flyers or their fans.

Who is Wayne Simmonds?

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Simmonds, best known as the “Wayne Train”, has been with the Flyers since 2011. He is considered by his teammates and fans to be the heart and soul of the team.

His NHL career started on 2008 as he was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round, 61st overall, of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

On June 23, 2011, he was traded to the Flyers, along with Brayden Schenn and a second-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Now he will be reunited with his former coach Peter Laviolette in Nashville.

Curios facts:

  • Achieved a Gordie Hawe Hat Trick on February 11, 2012 against the New York Rangers.
  • On March 30, 2012 he achieved a forehead goal as Brayden Schenn shot a puck that bounced from Simmonds’ head into the net, giving him credit for the goal.
  • Gordie Hat Trick on February 20, 2013 in a 6–5 win against the Pittsburg Penguins.
  • Gordie hat-trick in a 5–3 home win against the Winnipeg Jets,
  • Lead the Flyers in 2015-2016 in penalty minutes with 147.
  • MVP in the 2017 NHL All Star Game
  • Averaged nearly 30 goals per season

Current career stats: 824 GP, 242 G,229 A,471 P, FO% 43.7

Who is Ryan Hartman?

The 24 year-old right winger from South Carolina was drafted in 2013 in the first round by the Chicago Blackhawks. After playing for 4 seasons with the Blackhawks, he was traded to Nashville Predators along with a 2018 fifth-round pick for prospect Victor Ejdsell and a 2018 fourth-round pick.

Curious facts:

  • Won a gold medal with the United States at the 2012 IIHF Under-18 World Championship.
  • Pending restricted free agent
  • 10 goals and 10 assists this season

Current career stats:226 GP, 40 G, 43 A, 83 P, 42.9 FO%