Player Discussion Wayne Simmonds acquired for a conditional 2021 pick

[Buffaloed]

Love.
Skinner needs bodyguard that can finish.. I wanted him last year..

It'll open things up. Skinner's been getting the puck, the defense collapses on him, and the play dies. Now when he gets the puck, Simmonds is going to make a beeline to the net. That's going to draw defenders away from Skinner and disrupt their coverage. Or as Ray would say get the defense runnin' around. Skinner is Chaos Theory on Ice.

 

[joshjull]

Can anyone clarify the condition on the 5th upgraded to the 4th?

"Sabres make the playoffs and Simmonds plays 10 games", is how I've read it.

How is that '10 games' interpreted?
A. between date of trade and playoffs. [My assumption.]
B. in the playoffs.
C. between date of trade and conclusion of Sabres playoff run.

Or is this another one of those obscure Sabres trade conditions which will vex the local Buffalo media more than adjusting the platen on a manual Underwood?

I believe the condition is 10 “meaningful” games in March....

 

[La Cosa Nostra]

If we make the playoffs they can have 2 4ths.

 

[VaporTrail]

He has just been given a new chance. He is in a contract year. If he has a really good 20 games and the Sabres somehow make the playoffs, his next contract will be higher.

I could see the Sabrea putting him on a top line and the PP inflating his stats...Then I could see Botterill signing him to like a 4 year deal and way over paying so then we're stuck with a bad cap hit

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

This Western swing will make or break our chances IMO. Colorado and Vegas are juggernauts and Arizona is desperate trying to get into the playoffs. If we somehow win two of these games then we should still have a shot.

The way the Avalanche is playing right now, if the Sabres can get some top flight goaltending and keep it to a 1 goal game, I like their chances tomorrow night.

It's too bad that the Sabres don't have Francouz in net instead of Colorado. Injuries galore to the Av's forwards (and maybe Girard at D as well) and MacKinnon is gradually getting burnt out. Frankie's kept the Avalanche in the last few games.

 

[La Cosa Nostra]

I could see the Sabrea putting him on a top line and the PP inflating his stats...Then I could see Botterill signing him to like a 4 year deal and way over paying so then we're stuck with a bad cap hit

He signed Marjo, a player a couple years younger to a 2 year deal last summer. I know we are all pissed at Botts but he isn't going to give a 32 year old with mileage who plays a heavy game a 4 year deal.

If Simmonds puts up say 5-7-12 the last 20 games then I could see a 2/6 type deal.

 

[Club]

He signed Marjo, a player a couple years younger to a 2 year deal last summer. I know we are all pissed at Botts but he isn't going to give a 32 year old with mileage who plays a heavy game a 4 year deal.

If Simmonds puts up say 5-7-12 the last 20 games then I could see a 2/6 type deal.

If he does, then yes.. I'm good for the term. NOT for the amount.

 

[RazielMoshman]

Who gave Simmonds 17? How does that work? Can we give that person a pay rise?

This is a culture move, it's smart. Risk free.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Chainshot]

Having not even seen him play, how can we assess that he’s worth a contract next year? Let’s see him first.

 

[old kummelweck]

Having not even seen him play, how can we assess that he’s worth a contract next year? Let’s see him first.

Yeah, this has the potential to go badly as well.

 

[Chainshot]

I get that people like that he wanted to come to the team but let’s see how he plays over these 20 games.

 

[old kummelweck]

I get that people like that he wanted to come to the team but let’s see how he plays over these 20 games.

It certainly simplified his family life to have his wife and toddler 90 minutes away in their off-season Toronto home. Probably checked a big box for him, but recall the rumors that he picked NJ over BUF when he signed his current contract.

 

[Chainshot]

It certainly simplified his family life to have his wife and toddler 90 minutes away in their off-season Toronto home. Probably checked a big box for him, but recall the rumors that he picked NJ over BUF when he signed his current contract.

I can't even imagine what signing him instead of Johansson would have been like. MJ's a good mid-6er who's been mis-cast. Simmonds on-ice impacts, especially for his salary? Eeek.

Having made the mistake of listening to The Instigators on my drive over to work, I hear them talking about bringing him back already. Only one of the three said anything about seeing what he looks like on the ice.

 

[Tatanka]

I get that people like that he wanted to come to the team but let’s see how he plays over these 20 games.

Agreed. But you have to admit he is a very likable guy.

 

[Chainshot]

Agreed. But you have to admit he is a very likable guy.

Matt Moulson seems like an awesome human being. *shrug*

 

[Rowley Birkin]

I get that people like that he wanted to come to the team but let’s see how he plays over these 20 games.

Right - but at the same time let's not dissmiss / write the guy off without seeing him either.

 

[Sabreality]

yeah lets not give Botts any crazy ideas just yet, he already gave good guys Hutton & Wilson 1 extra year than was ever necessary. Even if Wayne 'fits'...its 1yr or nothing for me.

 

[Chainshot]

Right - but at the same time let's not dissmiss / write the guy off without seeing him either.

Has anyone done that? I get that his on-ice impacts are not nearly worth his salary -- heck they might not be worth the half salary that they are paying him -- and the off-ice/room stuff is what they are banking on. Fine. I'm intrigued by injected someone who has a high pain-tolerance and a commitment to the physical parts of the game into that room, especially now that Broke has been excised from it. I get why they did it and not someone like Ennis. It's fit.

But talking extension already is not prudent. Sign the guys who show that they belong and can contribute like Larsson or even Girgensons prior to the end of the season. See if Simmonds can bring anything to the lineup before even considering making him an offer. To do that in the opposite order ignores too much of what wins games.

 

[joshjull]

I’m just looking forward to the possibility of Skinner being his Uber rat self with Simmonds having his back.

 

[Chainshot]

 

[Rowley Birkin]

Has anyone done that? I get that his on-ice impacts are not nearly worth his salary -- heck they might not be worth the half salary that they are paying him -- and the off-ice/room stuff is what they are banking on. Fine. I'm intrigued by injected someone who has a high pain-tolerance and a commitment to the physical parts of the game into that room, especially now that Broke has been excised from it. I get why they did it and not someone like Ennis. It's fit.

But talking extension already is not prudent. Sign the guys who show that they belong and can contribute like Larsson or even Girgensons prior to the end of the season. See if Simmonds can bring anything to the lineup before even considering making him an offer. To do that in the opposite order ignores too much of what wins games.

First point - yes there are the usual suspects already anointing him as a terrible signing / failure without having him suit up even once...

Second point - completely agreed.

 

[Chainshot]

First point - yes there are the usual suspects already anointing him as a terrible signing / failure without having him suit up even once...

Second point - completely agreed.

I mean, his on-ice hockey impacts are bad outside of PP slot shots and the nebulous hit stats. So... for people looking for a good player, hoping for a good player, it's hard to see this and think they made inroads there.

 

[Chainshot]

Friedman with some thoughts on Wayne:

31 Thoughts: Could Joe Thornton's next destination be Toronto? - Sportsnet.ca

17. Calgary also checked into Wayne Simmonds. Second time in two years.

And

18. I understand why Buffalo acquired him. The Sabres are battling for positivity in a negative time, and Simmonds has a great attitude. They were losing two players who wanted to move, and you need to replace them since you’re striving for a miracle finish (Dominik Kahun was the other add). The Devils made it very clear Simmonds was not going anywhere unless the situation was good for him. He’ll get a chance to play good minutes and work towards his next deal. (Hopefully Instigators co-host Andrew Peters reads to 18 this week.)

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

I can't even imagine what signing him instead of Johansson would have been like. MJ's a good mid-6er who's been mis-cast. Simmonds on-ice impacts, especially for his salary? Eeek.

Having made the mistake of listening to The Instigators on my drive over to work, I hear them talking about bringing him back already. Only one of the three said anything about seeing what he looks like on the ice.

How was the "Big Physical Guy" drinking game?