It is ridiculous how some people on this board have talked about Simmonds over the last year or more. Guy is a warrior and will be missed.
Absolutely.
Clarke was my first favorite Flyer. Then it was Tocchet, then Forsberg, then Simmonds. He will be missed by any fan who appreciates players who give everything they have on and off the ice. When the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation needed players to help the cause, Simmonds was the first to volunteer and offer his time. He became an icon within the Foundation and loved those kids. When it was time to block a shot, throw big hit, drop the gloves, or stand in front of the net and take a beating for his team, Simmonds was the first one to volunteer. He never took shortcuts. Yes, his numbers declined, but many clueless fans have no idea what he meant to the Flyers locker room or to the organization as a whole... instead, they watch the game in a vacuum, are enamored with YouTube highlights and try to regurgitate stats in hopes they look smart. Play hockey at any level for 10 years and you'll know how important a player like Simmonds is to a TEAM. There's a reason a legend like Lundqvist broke down in tears when asked about Zuccarello. Simmonds was a true leader. He always put his teammates and the organization first. He will be missed. Go Preds.
As an aside, considering the absolutely pathetic return the clown Fletcher got for Simmonds, he would have been better off keeping him and hoping the Flyers were inspired by that enough to make a miracle run and sneak into the playoffs. The best play was to trade vets when the Flyers were tied for last in the league - so they had a legit shot at Hughes - but they messed that up. At this point, they were better off trying to sneak in the playoffs to get the kids some more playoff experience, then see if Simmonds was willing to take a 3 year deal in the summer. Hartman and a 3rd from NSH is a joke. Hartman stinks and that 3rd is pretty much a 4th. Of course some fans will now make Hartman out to be prime Mike Richards since he's a Flyer now, but whatever.
Peace out Simmer.