LeBrun: Wayne Simmonds

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A new career
Mar 21, 2008
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in a new town
hes shot.

It's sad. He was a fearsome, skilled player in his heyday. I would've loved him on my team.

It always blew my mind that he signed that sweetheart deal with Philly that, even at the time, seemed to undervalue everything he brought to the table. And why not? At the time, they were looking like they'd be a perennial cup contender. Then BOOM, he has multiple ~30 goal, 50-60 point seasons in his prime, still earning under 4M AAV. It was obvious that his style of game was never going to give him a long career, and in the end he never got to cash in financially for being one of the best power forwards in the game, at his peak.

For some perspective, Clarkson parlayed one 30 goal, 46pt season into a deal that earned him more money than Wayne Simmonds did over his whole career. And Simmonds basically hit those statistical benchmarks in five seasons. Timing is a mother.
 

TGWL

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What UFA player is going to say they're not healthy?
 

Bounces R Way

Registered User
Nov 18, 2013
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He'll get a job somewhere. GMs still value grit, experience, hard-to-play-againstness and all that jazz despite this board's disdain of those things. Maybe a longer break will serve him well and he gets back some of the jump he had.

Think he could still provide some value @ ~1m for a deep team that can shelter his minutes and wants a net front presence for their PP2.
 

qqaz

Think Happy Thoughts
Oct 25, 2018
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That would probably be the slowest line since the lockout

And everyone knows speed is the most important thing for a 4th line.

I mean, you're right, to an extent. But Spezza isn't actually all that slow. Neither is Clifford. I'd give it a try. The smarts, leadership, and jam on that line would be an element this year's team clearly lacked.
 

Neuf

Leaving HFBoards for now
Dec 17, 2016
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Gotta love how sports reporters are contractually obligated to include keyword for SEO "Toronto" on every single trade bait and UFA.

Wanted him in winnipeg 3-4 years ago but not anymore
 

Guttersniped

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A lot of Devils fans frustration with Simmonds came from the fact that he was playing bigger minutes under Hynes and, while not terrible, had a shooting % of 2.2% at 5v5 under him. Which meant 1 goal from 45 shots until December 3rd.

This was an issue 5v5 with a number of players then to say the least, Taylor Hall was shooting an impressive 3.2% (2 goals from 65 shots) during the same time frame. Good times.

Post-Hynes, Simmonds perked up on the Devils to snipe at 6% rate on 5v5 for 2 goals 33 shots until he was shipped of for scraps to Buffalo at the TDL. He shot 15.6% and 5 goals on the PP, which is down for him but our PP was a dumpster fire.

The Devils signed Simmonds for 5m so they were hooping for some offense, specifically goals, that never appeared but he should be good cheap pick-up if he’s willing to take a lot less. He’s neither a defensive liability or specialist so if the Leafs can’t find the latter they don’t have to worry he’s the former. I thought he played fine and can be effective with lower expectations and salary.
 

Joel Ward

Moderator
Sep 24, 2012
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I think Simmer would be a great add on the cheap if the Leafs can swing it. He's not going to be a negative value player playing 4th line minutes, and brings a lot of what the fanbase thinks they should be adding.
 

LMFAO

Registered User
May 20, 2010
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1 year 1M to be the 4th line RW whats wrong? Time to move away from useless player like Gauthier and bring in some real hockey player.

Could you imagine the Toronto Disney on Ice vs Tampa or NYI right now ? Lol
 

KingsHockey24

Registered User
Aug 1, 2013
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I'd love a Clifford-Spezza-Simmonds 4th line.
Richardson*

That line was amazing here in LA.

antti-niemi-kyle-clifford-brad-richardson-wayne-simmonds-2011-4-17-0-30-37.jpeg
 
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TML1967

Registered User
Jul 20, 2010
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Last game March 9th, so if the next season is in December thats 8 months.
Is that time enough to heal his injuries and get his skating back up to passable, or is that layoff long enough to make him unplayable in the NHL.

I want to say its the former, as he seems to be a guy the Leafs could really use on the cheap. Kind of like Ennis, who came here partly for the medical staff because of his own back and lower body issues.
But if he is a worse version of what we saw last year, thats AHL level at best.

He hasnt had positive possession numbers since 2015-2016.
He hasnt had a positive expected goals for since 2016-2017.

909 games playing his style of brash in your face hockey takes a toll.

Would love for him to become a good bottom 6 guy, but if its for much more than league min its a hard bet to make.

Leafs have AJ, Rodrigues, Barabanov, Engval, Korshkov, and Robertson will all be competing for the bottom 4 wing spots, assuming they move from Clifford.

Assume unless he is moved, AJ is guaranteed a 3W spot, with the other wing being likely Robertson.
A 4th line of Rodrigues-Spezza/Engval and Simmonds could be interesting.
 
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Zajacs Bowl Cut

Lets Go Baby
Nov 6, 2005
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when I say he is shot, I don't mean he isn't able to play in the NHL anymore

a 1 year deal worth $1 million or less to play strictly on the 4th line should be fine, but past that it isn't worth it
 

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