Wayne Simmonds officially signs with the Flyers

The 2022-23 season was a roller coaster year for Toronto Maple Leafs scrappy veteran forward Wayne Simmonds, who bounced back and forth between the big club and their American Hockey League affiliate Toronto Marlies a handful of times. 

His fate was essentially sealed by the Leafs bringing aboard tough customer Ryan Reaves over the summer, a younger version of Simmonds who can still chip in with the occasional appearance in the scoring column. And he hasn't played this season, leading to speculation that his playing career could be coming to an end. 

That was confirmed by Simmonds himself, who hung up the skates and said that he would be returning to the Flyers in the form of a one-day contract so that he could retire officially as a member of the team that he enjoyed his best years with. 

"Philadelphia has always had a special place in my heart," he said. "The people of Philadelphia accepted me as one of their own. Being there for eight years...I loved every second of it."

"I gave everything I had to Philadelphia," he said. "[Injuries] kind of cut my career short, but I wouldn't change it one bit. Every ounce, every tear, all the sweat, all the teeth I have—or don't have, I should say!—it was just something I was willing to do whatever I could possibly do to try and win. I always meant every single thing that I did...I got so much love from the fans there, so it was just important to me that I did give it my all."

Simmonds played a total of 584 career games with the Flyers, scoring 203 goals and 175 assists and quickly became a fan favorite after his acquisition from the Los Angeles Kings in the Mike Richards trade. 

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