Philadelphia Flyers: Does a Wayne Simmonds reunion make sense?

Does a Wayne Simmonds reunion make sense for the Philadelphia Flyers?

It is time for everybody’s favorite part of the off-season. Of course, what I mean is it is time to talk ourselves into the idea of bringing back an old face to the Philadelphia Flyers. In this edition, we look at if it makes sense for a Flyers-Wayne Simmonds reunion.

Considered a fan favorite in Philadelphia for many years, the idea of Simmonds coming back generates that rush of nostalgia we all seem to love.

Quite honestly, there was even a part of me this postseason that felt guilty, because it felt as if Simmer should have been a part of the fun this year. Think about it, he spent eight seasons in Philadelphia and many of those years were spent with the franchise spinning its tires in mediocrity. Finally, the light at the end of the tunnel had been reached and the Flyers fielded a contending team, and sadly Simmonds was no longer here.

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It felt like a travesty.

Unfortunately, in recent years, Simmer has sort of become a shell of the player he used to be.

It seemed every year you could pencil the Wayne Train in for 25-30 goals, half of which seemed to come on the man advantage, and all of which would come from within 5-10 feet of the net. When you think of grit, toughness, and just overall a true “power forward”, it is hard not to picture  Simmonds. But the decline has been pretty severe over the past two seasons, as Simmer has seen his goal and point production drop drastically.

In 2018-2019, Simmonds netted 17 goals and 13 assists (30 points) splitting time between Philadelphia and Nashville. 16 of those goals came in 62 games in Orange and Black, and after being dealt to the Predators, Simmonds produced one goal in 17 games. This of course, led to the market for him in free agency to be pretty thin last year. Simmer was forced to settle for a one-year, $5 million deal with the New Jersey Devils. But his decline worsened this past year, as Simmonds produced just eight goals and 17 assists (25 points) in 68 games. All of those goals came in New Jersey, and when he was dealt to Buffalo at the deadline, Simmer produced a single point (1 assist) across seven games.

As he is now set to enter free agency again, it appears his value has never been lower; this is where the Flyers come into play. Naturally, everything would depend on the amount of money Simmonds seeks on his next deal, especially when you consider the Flyers are rather strapped for cap room at the moment. Although, with the need to address the bottom six forward group, a Simmonds reunion could make sense at the right price.

Lets say Simmer is fine with taking a one-year deal worth between $1-2 million – in that type of situation, a reunion in Philadelphia could make sense. It is fair to think Simmonds could have have a bit of a resurgence, especially in the right situation. However, if the price extends any further than that, the Flyers would be wise to look elsewhere.

Again, for the right price, Wayne Simmonds back with the Philadelphia Flyers COULD make sense. It would add a familiar face, but it would also fill a need of grit and toughness in the bottom six; as well as a player who knows how to put the puck in the net. Personally, I would be on board with this kind of move. But of course, as mentioned, the price must be right.