Wayne Simmonds had been a huge part of the Philadelphia Flyers for almost eight seasons. However, the team decided to part ways with the 30-year-old forward. Simmonds has been traded to the Nashville Predators. In return, the Flyers receive forward Ryan Hartman and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2020. If the Predators win a playoff round, the Flyers get a third round pick.
Simmonds is on the last year of his contract and will become a free agent this summer. His current deal pays him $5 million in salary this year and carries along with a $3.975 million cap hit for the rest of the season.
Ryan Hartman and a pick to Philly for Simmonds https://t.co/oqf8LGSDSf
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 25, 2019
NSH sends Ryan Hartman and a 2020 4th round pick to PHI. The fourth-round pick turns into a third if NASH wins one round of the playoffs.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 25, 2019
Wayne Simmonds Heading To Nashville
Drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round of the 2007 NHL Draft, Simmonds broke into the league during the 2008-09 season. In 82 games, he put up nine goals and 14 assists. He spent two more seasons with the team, with 30 goals and 40 assists, before being traded to the Flyers.
In a deal that sent Mike Richards to the Kings, Simmonds became an essential key to the Flyers core. He scored a then career-high 28 goals in his first year with the team in 2011-12. Aside from the lockout-shortened season, Simmonds consistently reached at least 24 goals in every season with the Flyers.
After reaching the 30-goal mark the last two seasons, Simmonds had what could be considered a down year last season. His 24 goals were his lowest total since his second season with the Kings. After a season-opening hat trick, the thought of another breakout season was on Flyers fans minds.
However, Simmonds would struggle through many injuries throughout the season. It wouldn’t be discovered until locker cleanout that Simmonds had been playing injured since the beginning of the season. Despite that, he only missed seven games during the regular season.
Rumours have swirled throughout most of this season involving Simmonds. The numbers this season have also not been Simmonds best. He has 16 goals and 11 assists so far this season in 62 games played.
In 824 career games, Simmonds has put up 242 goals and 229 assists between the Kings and the Flyers.
What This Means For Simmonds’ New Team
In Simmonds, the Predators will be receiving a hard-nosed, front of the net presence type of player. Simmonds is not afraid to go to the dirty areas of the ice to make things happen. A veteran of eleven seasons in the NHL, Simmonds has shown he is still able to produce.
Simmonds is also a flexible player when it comes to moving around the lineup. He can be the top line winger, but also slide down to the third line if needed. His new team will get a player that can still prove more in the NHL. A change of scenery could bring out the Wayne Simmonds that fans had seen before.
Ryan Hartman
Hartman, 24, has put up 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points in 64 games for the Predators this season. He has also added 44 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers are 52.8 percent Corsi-for, with a Relative Corsi of -0.2. Hartman was acquired by the Predators in a 2018 Trade Deadline move.
Hartman was originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks, in the first round, 30th overall at the 2013 NHL Draft. In 226 career games, he has put up 40 goals and 43 assists for 83 points with 188 minutes in penalties. Expect the versatile forward to fit in the Flyers middle-six.
Hartman signed a one-year contract for $875,000 with the Predators last summer. He will be a restricted free agent this summer.
Main Photo by Kate Frese (@KateFresePhoto), licensed to Last Word on Hockey. The Photographer retains all rights to the photograph.
