NHL free agency: Maple Leafs to sign Wayne Simmonds
According to Pierre LeBrun, the Toronto Maple Leafs will sign forward Wayne Simmonds in NHL free agency.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to get tougher this offseason. They’re getting to work early, as they are reportedly going to sign Wayne Simmonds in NHL free agency. Pierre LeBrun is reporting the deal is for one-year and $1.5 million. Also, Simmonds will have a full no-movement clause.
Simmonds is well known as one of the league’s premier power forwards. However, he has been struggling in recent years. Simmonds’ point totals have declined in five straight seasons. Last season, he had 25 points in 68 games.
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He got his career started with the Los Angeles Kings, but got traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in 2011 for Mike Richards. In Philly, Simmonds became a fan favorite thanks to his heavy style of play and penchant for huge goals.
He stayed with the Flyers until 2019, when he was traded to the Nashville Predators. In 17 games, he put up 4 points and added zero points in two Stanley Cup Playoff games. Last summer, Simmonds signed with the New Jersey Devils on a one-year deal.
He played in 61 games with 24 points. Simmonds was moved at the NHL trade deadline to the Buffalo Sabres. There, he had one point in seven games.
In Toronto, Simmonds will likely be asked to play a fourth-line role. He could provide a boost to their second power play unit as well. Simmonds also gives them a bit of physicality, which is something they’ve lacked in recent years.
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Simmonds gets to play for his hometown team and the Leafs get a veteran at a fairly reasonable price. Personally, I think $1.5 million is a bit rich, but $1 million would have been fine. And having Jason Spezza and Simmonds for under $2.5 million is reasonable. Whether Simmonds has enough left in the tank to be a productive player remains to be seen. The Leafs are hoping he does, though.