Unexpected update on Wayne Simmonds despite new trade rumours!

It has to be tough for veteran forward Wayne Simmonds now that the 2022-23 is underway. Simmonds was demoted to the Marlies following an unsuccessful training camp and failure to crack the NHL roster, but he never made his way down to Toronto’s AHL affiliate. He keeps skating as a non-roster player with the Maple Leafs and was hoping that goalie Matt Murray suffering an adductor injury would put him back on the roster.

However, The Athletic’s Joshua Kloke reports that Simmonds remains in limbo, seeing that the team has no room suffering an adductor injury. The Maple Leafs have attempted to move Simmonds, but have yet to find a suitable trade partner for him.

This prompted Kloke to suggest that Simmonds be moved to one team “in transitory stages with rosters stocked with young players.” He pointed to the Ottawa Senators or the Buffalo Sabres as potential destinations, along with with a possible return to one of his former teams like the Los Angeles Kings or Philadelphia Flyers.

Kloke does acknowledge Simmonds’ 10-team no-trade list and the fact that he is looking to join a contender at this stage in his career. However, if one of those four clubs are indeed interested and come calling, Simmonds should not turn them down and get out of limbo in Toronto.

Earlier on Friday however, Leafs insider Jonas Siegel revealed how Simmonds could make his season debut over the weekend as Toronto faces the Winnipeg Jets. This might be a way to showcase Simmonds in order to show teams what he has to offer or a chance for the veteran forward to earn his spot with the team he prefers! 

Simmonds finished the 2021-22 season with just five goals and 16 points in 72 games while averaging a mere 9:20 in ice time per night, the lowest total of his career. Maybe a change of scenery is what’s needed.