Philadelphia Flyers signs Wayne Simmonds to two-year, $3.5 million contract –NHL offseason Update
Wayne Simmonds, a 22-year-old right winger which Philadelphia Flyers acquired from Los Angeles Kings in the blockbuster Captain Mike Richards' trade, was signed by Flyers to a two-year, $3.5 million contract, as announced by Philadelphia's management on
Thursday.
Originally, from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, Simmonds was drafted in the 2007 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft as the 61st overall in round-two by Los Angeles Kings.
He did not immediately start playing hockey for his original draft team, but spent time playing with the Canadian national team in the World Junior Championships (WJC).
Prior to that, Simmonds played for various minor league teams like, Toronto Jr. Canadiens of the Greater Toronto Hockey League, Brockville Braves in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), Owen Sound Attack in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Sault
Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Nevertheless, Simmonds is confident in his abilities as a hockey player.
"I'm just going to come in and play my game", Simmonds told NHL.com. "My game speaks for itself. I'm a rough and tumble winger, go up and down the wall, take pucks to the net. That's what I'm good at and that's what I'm going to stick to".
Simmonds played three seasons with LA Kings on a three-year entry level contract in which he performed top-notch in his initial stages.
The young forward played all 82 games in his first NHL season with LA and scored 23 points (9 goals, 14 assists).
He put up season high numbers the following season and recorded 40 points (16 goals, 24 assists) in 78 games and an amazing plus-minus rating of 22.
Last season, Simmonds might not have performed at par in the 2009-2010 season, but he certainly played well.
He shot 20 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in 80 games, which proves he truly is a consistent and worthy enough player to be put on the Philadelphia line-up.
Flyers' general manager, Paul Holmgren, does not disagree in Simmonds' abilities either.
"We think Wayne has some real upside in terms of offensive production", said Flyers' GM, Paul Holmgren. "So we look for some good things from Wayne".
Simmonds will have another great team to play for next season, and showing what he is worth will easily place in him on the starting line-up rather than being recalled later on.
Tags: