A Saturday night benching for Simmonds leads to a likely healthy scratch on Tuesday
After getting into the lineup Saturday night for the first time in a week, Wayne Simmonds did nothing to help his cause to stay in the lineup. Simmonds played just 6:54 and did not see a shift following his second minor penalty of the game on a 3rd period tripping call in the opening 2:07 of the period.
With Pierre Engvall having served his one game suspension for "high-sticking" Sean Durzi in the head last Thursday, Simmonds will come out of the lineup to make room for Engvall. That also means that Joey Anderson remains in the lineup after making his season debut Saturday night. I guess Sheldon Keefe is a man of his word after revealing on Saturday that the Leafs plan to give Anderson some "runway" here and a longer look at the NHL level.
Simmonds has skated in just 7 games for the Leafs this season registering a lone assist as the Leafs prioritize getting their prospects into games and giving those that deserve a chance, one. The best option for the Leafs and Simmonds would be to send him down to the Marlies when he isn't playing to get some game action in because he looks a step behind whenever he comes into the lineup for the Leafs and it does nothing but hurt the Leafs and his confidence.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 12 | 807 ANSWERS A Saturday night benching for Simmonds leads to a likely healthy scratch on Tuesday Will Wayne Simmonds play another game as a Leaf? | ||
| Yes | 498 | 61.7 % |
| No | 309 | 38.3 % |
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