Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Simmonds Trade Completed, OHL Playoffs and More

Bill, great article on the Kate Smith Statue. I also wanted to know who you think will win the cup now

Bill do you think the Flyers entertain re-signing Wayne at all?

No need to re-sign Simmonds even at a cheaper price. The league is changing and Simmonds is unable to keep up. Maybe if we didn't already sign Raffl I'd entertain it but we need spots for kids and need bodies that can keep up.

Feel bad for Simmonds tho. Guy was never able to get his big pay day. I'd be shocked if he gets 5 mil a year after the season he just had.

Bill, great article on the Kate Smith Statue. I also wanted to know who you think will win the cup now
- killercam

Such a wide open field now. As the first round showed, the playoffs are unpredictable.

With Tampa out, it depends on whether the Caps survive the first round. Defending champs are always a threat until dethroned. I am personally rooting for the Bruins and Canes in their respective Game 7. Columbus showed they are dangerous in how they dismantled the Bolts.

The West is nuts with Calgary, Nashville and Winnipeg all out. Rooting for Dallas but would be happy for Chief if the Blues come out.

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Simmonds Trade Completed, OHL Playoffs and More
- bmeltzer

I wonder if the Flyers ever offered Wayne a new deal? If they did he might regret not taking it

Such a wide open field now. As the first round showed, the playoffs are unpredictable.

With Tampa out, it depends on whether the Caps survive the first round. Defending champs are always a threat until dethroned. I am personally rooting for the Bruins and Canes in their respective Game 7. Columbus showed they are dangerous in how they dismantled the Bolts.

The West is nuts with Calgary, Nashville and Winnipeg all out. Rooting for Dallas but would be happy for Chief if the Blues come out.
- bmeltzer

If the Caps lose there is no way this doesn't end up as the lowest watched SC playoffs in years. Boston and Toronto are really the only major hockey markets in this thing still.

$5M for Simmonds? Try 1 year at $2-3M. The guy sucks at hockey.

Bill do you think the Flyers entertain re-signing Wayne at all?
- bsw31usa

I don't know. However, I did find this statement by Alain Vigneault at his introduction presser to be interesting along similar lines:

"A lot of those [successful] teams, the third component you have is older veterans that might not be able to perform at the same way that they once were, but bring an intangible that’s really important to the chemistry of a dressing room. If you can work with those players, show them the respect that they deserve through the years in the league, they still can be a big asset to a team and an organization," Vigneault said.

When he was off-podium, Vigneault added that the intangibles element is something he does not know yet with the Flyers. He said if Chuck Fletcher feels they need to add someone along those lines, it can be a positive for the team regardless of what the stats alone might suggest relative to that player.

$5M for Simmonds? Try 1 year at $2-3M. The guy sucks at hockey.
- uofcguy

No one who plays 11 seasons in the NHL "sucks at hockey". In fact, no player who makes it to pro hockey in any capacity sucks at hockey. Without even knowing anything about you, I can virtually guarantee that Wayne Simmonds, a six-time 24+ goal scorer and two-time 30+ goal scorer in the world's best league, is better at his profession than you are in yours. Even in your avocation as an internet troll, your contribution was rather second-rate.

Have a nice day...

If the Caps lose there is no way this doesn't end up as the lowest watched SC playoffs in years. Boston and Toronto are really the only major hockey markets in this thing still.
- hereticpride

The playoff field wasn't exactly great for ratings to begin with.

wayne wont get but 2mm per on a 1 or 2 year deal. No way he even sniffs his current deal. He overplayed his hand and it ended up costing him.

No one who plays 11 seasons in the NHL "sucks at hockey". In fact, no player who makes it to pro hockey in any capacity sucks at hockey. Without even knowing anything about you, I can virtually guarantee that Wayne Simmonds, a six-time 24+ goal scorer and two-time 30+ goal scorer in the world's best league, is better at his profession than you are in yours. Even in your avocation as an internet troll, your contribution was rather second-rate.

Have a nice day...
- bmeltzer

I agree that intangibles can help a team but you can't place that value over speed, skill and youth. The Flyers aren't in a position to bring Simmonds back in my opinion.

This Simmonds hate is ridiculous, is he the same flirt with 30 goal guy he once was, probably not. Do I think he can bounce back, be a third line player on a decent team, put up 20+ goals with PP time, and be great in the locker room? I think so. At the same time I think it is best for the Flyers to move on from him, we have some youth I'm hoping can make this lineup.

Be interesting if Simmonds gets anything more then 2-3 years or maybe takes a one year....show me you still got it deal.

wayne wont get but 2mm per on a 1 or 2 year deal. No way he even sniffs his current deal. He overplayed his hand and it ended up costing him.
- daryl stanley

I wondered that as well. I wonder what term he was searching for from the Flyers?

This Simmonds hate is ridiculous, is he the same flirt with 30 goal guy he once was, probably not. Do I think he can bounce back, be a third line player on a decent team, put up 20+ goals with PP time, and be great in the locker room? I think so. At the same time I think it is best for the Flyers to move on from him, we have some youth I'm hoping can make this lineup.
- ClaudeFather

Im still on the fence.... I could see him coming back...But I could also see him being paid more by a young team looking for the intangibles that Bill alluded too.

I wondered that as well. I wonder what term he was searching for from the Flyers?
- landros 2

just a guess but close to 7/8 years. I absolutely believe the flyers offered him a 4 year deal or so with a raise and he declined.

just a guess but close to 7/8 years. I absolutely believe the flyers offered him a 4 year deal or so with a raise and he declined.
- daryl stanley

so would that still be on the table....hard to believe a miserable 17 game stint in Nashville would sour them that much?

Im still on the fence.... I could see him coming back...But I could also see him being paid more by a young team looking for the intangibles that Bill alluded too.
- landros 2

I could definitely see him having a bounce back season, and I hope he does. Probably feels like he has something to prove. Hoping the Flyers have moved on though.

Bill, you don’t respond to the trolls often, but when you do, it’s a joy to behold...bravo!!

I would take Simmonds back at 1 year 2 mil or something. He’d be solid scoring line depth and I’ll bet on him bouncing back after a disappointing year that he had to prove himself again.

Talk about just having bad timing with contracts. simmonds took the security of a 6 year/23,850,000 contract coming off of 45 game 15-17-32 season. Just bad timing for him. after signing the new contract he potted 4 straight 28-32 goal seasons. and now that he is a UFA he is coming off of multiple injury riddled production declining years.

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