High-profile NHLer says he's not ruling out kneeling for the anthem.

The National Hockey League is fully mired in the national anthem controversy that began in the National Football League, and while it seems a great many fans are already tired of hearing about it, NHL players continue to share their thoughts on the issue.

On Wednesday Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds was the latest to leave open the possibility of kneeling for the anthem, making him arguably the highest profile NHL athlete to come out in favor of the protest. 

Simmonds was asked to respond to comments made by San Jose Sharks' veteran Joel Ward, who suggested he would consider kneeling for the anthem, and Simmonds admitted that he fully supported Ward.

“I definitely back Wardo. I know Wardo very well,” said Simmonds as per Flyers insider Sam Carchidi. “What’s going on now is a shame. I definitely back his statements. It doesn’t mean I’m going to kneel, and it doesn’t mean I’m not going to kneel.”

While players like Ward and JT Brown have suggested kneeling would be a possibility, it would almost certainly have a larger impact if a well-respected player like Simmonds were to take a knee for the anthem. 

It feels like this story may be far from over.