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Choo-Choo, do you hear the train coming? It’s not a real train, but it’s the Wayne-Train. A former beloved player in Wayne Simmonds is still unsigned after playing the last few years for the Toronto Maple Leafs. There are different reasons why a team might not want Simmonds. Reasons range from cap space to miles on his tires. So I pose this question for you, would you want Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere to bring Simmonds back home to Philadelphia on a PTO (Professional Try Out)?
A Power Forward in hockey as described by Wikipedia is, “A forward who is physically large, with the toughness to dig the puck out of the corners, possesses offensive instincts, has mobility, puck-handling skills, may be difficult to knock off the puck or to push away from the front of the goal and is willingly engage in fights when he feels it is required. Possessing both physical size and offensive ability, power forwards are also often referred to as the ‘complete’ hockey player,” in saying that, Simmonds used to be the key to the Flyers success for years when they were considered perennial playoff contenders. Over the last couple of seasons, Philadelphia got away from employing these type of gritty players. However, former Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher did make it a point to get tougher in 2022-23.
Acquired via a trade with the Los Angeles Kings, Simmonds came to the Flyers at only 23-years-old having only three seasons of NHL experience previously under his belt. I don’t think the Flyers could have imagined for a second what kind of return on investment he would grow to be for them, and how influential this young player was going to be in the future for the franchise.
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Some fans didn’t know much about Simmonds before the trade occurred, but he quickly became a fan favorite with his energy and rough and tough style. He stands at 6’3 and weighs 185 pounds. Simmonds spent eight years playing in Philadelphia. During that time, he was able to net 203 goals and register 175 assists for a total of 378 points in 584 games played as a Flyer.
As his stats show, he found great success once donning a Flyers jersey. He was also able to reach the 20 goal plateau in a season seven out of the eight seasons played for the orange and black. So I ask this question again, do you want Briere to bring back Simmonds?
Simmonds could give valuable leadership skills and tutelage to the youth, just teaching them how to be a Pro. He would also be used as a 13th Forward, so he would not be taking the roster from either Elliot Desnoyers or Tyson Foerster. So what would be the harm in signing him to a prove it PTO deal? If Simmonds wants to come back to Philly, this would be a win-win for both sides. Furthermore, if a prospect cannot beat out a vet like Simmonds, then that said prospect should spend more time in AHL or Junior Hockey…period.
From a Flyers standpoint this would also make sense to sell tickets. Not to mention, maybe Simmonds would then retire as a Flyer. That would be neat right!!!!
