The plot thickens with the Leafs and Wayne Simmonds
The speculation surrounding the absence of Wayne Simmonds at the Leafs' morning skate on Thursday didn't quiet when the Leafs moved Simmonds over to the NHL non-roster list on Thursday night following a 3-2 Leafs win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
Originally it was thought that Simmonds, 33, may be placed on waivers, given the fact that he has not been as factor for the Leafs on many nights this season, but when the 2pm waiver deadline came and went on Thursday without Simmonds' name being on the list, the speculation shifted to Simmer being given a leave of absence from the team for some sort of a family emergency. Some have even suggested that the Scarborough native may have been granted a short paternity leave.
On Friday, however, Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed that Simmonds is actually a healthy scratch for the Buds. There is certainly a lot to digest here, and the Leafs aren't saying much to dissuade the speculation on what is going on with the Wayne Train.
After Simmonds had been honoured for playing his 1000th NHL game earlier this month, there are some who believe that the Leafs may look to move on from Simmonds, or waive and demote him prior to the playoffs if the Buds can secure an upgrade on the 4th line. Vancouver's Tyler Motte is among the names mentioned.
My big question here is why move Simmonds to non-roster if he's merely a healthy scratch? Something doesn't add up here.
| POLL | ||
MARS 18 | 394 ANSWERS The plot thickens with the Leafs and Wayne Simmonds What's going on with the Leafs and Wayne Simmonds? | ||
| Just a scratch, nothing more | 122 | 31 % |
| He's going to be waived/demoted | 72 | 18.3 % |
| He'll be traded | 121 | 30.7 % |
| Early retirement? Lots of hard miles.. | 79 | 20.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
