Leafs pursuing free agent Wayne Simmonds, per Pierre LeBrun report

Seems like a perfect match. Thoughts, Leafs fans?

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 3 years ago
Leafs pursuing free agent Wayne Simmonds, per Pierre LeBrun report
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According to a report from TSN insider Pierre LeBrun, the Toronto Maple Leafs have "genuine interest" in pending unrestricted free agent Wayne Simmonds. It's expected that Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas will make a pitch to Simmonds once free agency officially opens up at 12pm ET on Friday afternoon.

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Additionally, LeBrun's counterpart over at TSN Elliotte Friedman is reporting that Buffalo Sabres have allowed Simmonds to speak with teams ahead of free agency.

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I have to say, I think Simmonds would be a fantastic fit with the Leafs. But when the Leafs announced they had re-signed veteran forward Jason Spezza to a one year deal, I couldn't see exactly how Simmonds would fit into thing. But there's no denying the fact that the Leafs could use some veteran grit on their bottom six forward group and Simmonds provides that in spades.

The 32 year old Simmonds has had a difficult time finding his footing in the NHL since leaving the Philadelphia Flyers back in 2019, but there's reason to believe that he can still contribute some offence while playing a key role on a checking line. He put up just eight goals and 25 points in 68 games split between the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres last season, but he's just two seasons removed from a 20 goal campaign with the Flyers.

The Scarborough, Ontario native has 251 goals and 499 points in 909 career games split between the Sabres, Devils, Nashville Predators, Flyers and Los Angeles Kings. His best years have undoubtedly been with the Flyers with whom he put up a career high 32 goals and 60 points in 2015-16. He's also one tough customer and is never afraid to drop the mitts and stand up for a teammate. 

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 Now... doesn't that look like a player the Leafs could use? With all due respect to players like Jake Muzzin and pending UFA Kyle Clifford, the Leafs don't have a ton of grit in their lineup and they could REALLY use a guy like Simmonds. You may recall that when the Leafs' season was on the line in Game 4 against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL's Qualifying Series round, it was veteran Spezza who was forced to step up and provide his team with some energy by dropping the mitts.

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Kudos to Spezza, but frankly this is a job better suited for a player like Simmonds.