Wayne Simmonds' comments show that he's willing to do whatever it takes to win a Stanley Cup in Toronto
Once at the top of his craft and revered as one of the best power forwards in the entire league, Wayne Simmonds is entering his 15th season in the NHL and is still searching for that elusive Stanley Cup ring. The 34-year-old winger enjoyed the prime of his career in Philadelphia where he racked up 203 goals and 378 points in 584 games. He added 784 PIMs, scored 91 power play goals, averaged 17:05 TOI a game, and delivered 1,108 hits. He also scored no less than 24 goals between 2013-14 to 2017-18, including two 30-goal seasons.
His decline came out of nowhere and he became a shell of his former self after battling through a myriad of injuries. He was then traded to Nashville at the trade deadline in 2018-19 and then spent a season in New Jersey and Buffalo, before returning home to Toronto.
In his last 4 seasons, he has scored 20 goals and 52 points in 195 games - truly a different player. That includes the last 3 years in Toronto where he has scored 12 goals and 27 points in 127 games, while only averaging 9:52 TOI.
He has played sporadically this season, only suiting up in 17 games and recording just 2 assists. He knows his play has diminished, he understands his role, and he just wants to help however he can.
This will be his 10th year in the post-season, he has played in 53 games with the Flyers, Leafs, Predators, and Los Angeles Kings. He has 8 goals and 22 points with 122 PIMs, with 5 goals and 15 of those points coming in his years with the Flyers. He has only advanced past the first round once, which was in 2011-12.
He's a great teammate, a great leader - evidenced by his Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2018-19 - and he's willing to sacrifice the body for his team, whether it's with a huge hit, a blocked shot, or a big fight. He's still an intimidating force whenever in the lineup and no one says otherwise.
The Maple Leafs could use him in any capacity and it will be interesting to see if he figures into any playoff games against the heavily experienced Tampa Bay Lightning.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 9 | 26 ANSWERS Wayne Simmonds' comments show that he's willing to do whatever it takes to win a Stanley Cup in Toronto Should the Leafs offer Simmonds a job with the organization once he retires? | ||
| Yes | 24 | 92.3 % |
| Yes | 0 | 0 % |
| Yes | 0 | 0 % |
| Other (also yes) | 2 | 7.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
