Bill Meltzer: Looking Ahead: Tough Decision Looming on Simmonds Next Summer

We have been so fortunate to have Wayne Simmonds.

Some players you can afford to overpay for. I feel like Simmonds is that kind of guy.

That being said, I think he wants to be here, he wants to win here, and isn't greedy. I get the sense he'll get the big cap hit, or get the long term, but might not ask for both.

I, too, do not envy them having to make the choice

At the same time, though, i will understand whichever way they go

Simmonds is signed through 2019 Bill, sadly not 2020. He will be 31 when his new contract starts.

That being said, if they can't find a way to sign him to a 4 year or less deal, even if they have to overpay to do so, I'd trade him. I don't want a 35, 36, or 37 year old power forward on the books with a cap hit north of 5 million.

Bill, I think you are off on Patches, Raffle and Lehtera too. There deals, IIRC, all expire in 2019, not 2020.

Bill, I think you are off on Patches, Raffle and Lehtera too. There deals, IIRC, all expire in 2019, not 2020.
- BiggE

Fixed the dates. The dangers of writing at 4 am.

We have been so fortunate to have Wayne Simmonds.

Some players you can afford to overpay for. I feel like Simmonds is that kind of guy.

That being said, I think he wants to be here, he wants to win here, and isn't greedy. I get the sense he'll get the big cap hit, or get the long term, but might not ask for both.
- Coburns_Nose

I'd go as high as 27 million for 4 years, AAV of 6.75 per. I don't want them tied to him for more than four years at that point. Honestly, I'm not sure that it would get a deal done. He and his agent both know, as long as he stays healthy and puts up his usual production for the next 2 seasons, that there will be some GM ready to pony up 6 years and at least 36-39 million. As much as he may like it here, it's hard for any player to walk away from a guaranteed 9-12 million or more.

All in all, the best move, from a pure business standpoint, would be to trade him after this upcoming season. Between Lindblom, Patrick and perhaps by then even Ratcliffe, they should have other options to fill his role on the PP. He'd be a tough guy to lose, though the intangibles are hard to quantify, but at the end of the day he is only an average player at ES and it would be a pretty big risk to lock him up in a long term deal at the age of 31.

Fixed the dates. The dangers of writing at 4 am.
- bmeltzer

I hear ya!

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I'd go as high as 27 million for 4 years, AAV of 6.75 per. I don't want them tied to him for more than four years at that point. Honestly, I'm not sure that it would get a deal done. He and his agent both know, as long as he stays healthy and puts up his usual production for the next 2 seasons, that there will be some GM ready to pony up 6 years and at least 36-39 million. As much as he may like it here, it's hard for any player to walk away from a guaranteed 9-12 million or more.

All in all, the best move, from a pure business standpoint, would be to trade him after this upcoming season. Between Lindblom, Patrick and perhaps by then even Ratcliffe, they should have other options to fill his role on the PP. He'd be a tough guy to lose, though the intangibles are hard to quantify, but at the end of the day he is only an average player at ES and it would be a pretty big risk to lock him up in a long term deal at the age of 31.
- BiggE

2 year deal (Hexy's wheelhouse) 15-16 million

See the deal out if they are a playoff team and make a decision spring of 19. Trade him if they are a bubble or worse at the deadline.

I understand the thought of getting full value but sometimes that isn't the most important thing to consider.

See the deal out if they are a playoff team and make a decision spring of 19. Trade him if they are a bubble or worse at the deadline.

I understand the thought of getting full value but sometimes that isn't the most important thing to consider.
- Just5

Yeah a lot will depend on where they are at come TDL time. Like Bill said having another year on his deal makes him extremely valuable at this TDL. But if your in playoff position it's hard to justify a trade like that.

But you never know. Someone one could be desperate going into the playoffs and make you an offer you can't say no too.

2 year deal (Hexy's wheelhouse) 15-16 million
- YuenglingJagr

I'd do, but I don't think Simmonds would.

We have been so fortunate to have Wayne Simmonds.

Some players you can afford to overpay for. I feel like Simmonds is that kind of guy.

That being said, I think he wants to be here, he wants to win here, and isn't greedy. I get the sense he'll get the big cap hit, or get the long term, but might not ask for both.
- Coburns_Nose

Some of it is because of the player, but really it is about the salary cap picture on the team. Even if Simmonds deserves to be overpaid, the Flyers might not be able to (long term)

Yeah a lot will depend on where they are at come TDL time. Like Bill said having another year on his deal makes him extremely valuable at this TDL. But if your in playoff position it's hard to justify a trade like that.

But you never know. Someone one could be desperate going into the playoffs and make you an offer you can't say no too.
- J35Bacher

If they have a reasonable chance of making the playoffs at this years deadline, I wouldn't trade him unless a team makes an offer that you just can't refuse. If they are out of it at the deadline, then by all means entertain offers. He will still have pretty good value even with just one year left due to the low cap hit. In fact, even a contender who is near the cap ceiling could end up massively overpaying if the Flyers were to retain 50% of that final year. Simmonds for a year with a cap hit under 2 million would have GMs tripping over their boners.

Some of it is because of the player, but really it is about the salary cap picture on the team. Even if Simmonds deserves to be overpaid, the Flyers might not be able to (long term)
- YuenglingJagr

Exactly
They have a lot of young players and top prospects. If even just a few become stars, those will be a lot of big deals to work out between 2019 and 2023 or so.

Love Simmonds game but paying him an Oshie like contract would be a huge mistake.

asdf jkl;

I'd go as high as 27 million for 4 years, AAV of 6.75 per. I don't want them tied to him for more than four years at that point. Honestly, I'm not sure that it would get a deal done. He and his agent both know, as long as he stays healthy and puts up his usual production for the next 2 seasons, that there will be some GM ready to pony up 6 years and at least 36-39 million. As much as he may like it here, it's hard for any player to walk away from a guaranteed 9-12 million or more.

All in all, the best move, from a pure business standpoint, would be to trade him after this upcoming season. Between Lindblom, Patrick and perhaps by then even Ratcliffe, they should have other options to fill his role on the PP. He'd be a tough guy to lose, though the intangibles are hard to quantify, but at the end of the day he is only an average player at ES and it would be a pretty big risk to lock him up in a long term deal at the age of 31.
- BiggE

This is exactly where I am. I am WAY more worried about the term than I am the cap hit. 4 years MAX at whatever cap hit they can agree on. I just don't want to see 5 or 6 or 8 years (like Oshie) where the last 3 or 4 years are just this nightmare albatross........like I fear Giroux's contract is fast becoming.....

Its not personal Sonny, its just business......

I'd do, but I don't think Simmonds would.
- BiggE

carries some risk, but i think it is smarter (for him) than a 3-4 year deal. He can either get one last contract in the 6 year range or he can go shorter in the hopes his play doesnt drop off by then and he can end up with more money

Not hating but I don't think any of the offseason moves really propels them into a playoff team this year. The future is not now so might as well move him at the TDL.

I'd be surprised if they don't re-sign him, if only, as a standard bearer, of sorts, for the guys coming up.

Not hating but I don't think any of the offseason moves really propels them into a playoff team this year. The future is not now so might as well move him at the TDL.
- all-pgh

I think they will make the playoffs this year. Not because of any moves but I expect a bounce back from Giroux and Voracek and an increase in production from Couturier. Solid seasons from some of the youth and I think they get in.

Are they a cup contender..NO. but could they make things interesting like Toronto...They could.

Not hating but I don't think any of the offseason moves really propels them into a playoff team this year. The future is not now so might as well move him at the TDL.
- all-pgh

He has two years left

This is exactly where I am. I am WAY more worried about the term than I am the cap hit. 4 years MAX at whatever cap hit they can agree on. I just don't want to see 5 or 6 or 8 years (like Oshie) where the last 3 or 4 years are just this nightmare albatross........like I fear Giroux's contract is fast becoming.....

Its not personal Sonny, its just business......
- MBFlyerfan