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Toronto Maple Leafs Moving on From Wayne Simmonds

By Jeremy Ridgewell

Mar 8, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas (right) presents forward Wayne Simmonds (24) with a silver stick after having played in his 1,000th game before a game against the Seattle Kraken at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas (right) presents forward Wayne Simmonds (24) with a silver stick after having played in his 1,000th game before a game against the Seattle Kraken at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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On Sunday afternoon, the Toronto Maple Leafs placed Wayne Simmonds, Kyle Clifford, Victor Mete, and Adam Gaudette on waivers.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have decided to keep Denis Malgin. He had a good training camp and preseason. Malgin registered four goals and four assists for eight points this preseason. The team also decided to sign Zach Aston-Reese to a one-year deal worth $840,630. His signing is the writing on the wall for Simmonds. (Salary info from capfriendly.com)

According to Elliott Friedman, the Leafs sent an email to every NHL team informing them that Wayne Simmonds is being made available. General manager Kyle Dubas wants to do right by Simmonds and try to find him somewhere to play this season. Simmonds has recorded 263 goals and 261 assists for 524 points in 1,019 games. (Stats from hockey-reference.com)

Simmonds has a modified no-trade clause, so hopefully, Dubas will be able to find a team willing to give Simmonds the chance to continue his NHL career. One team that might be interested is the Philadelphia Flyers. Simmonds could see his career end with the team where he had the most success.

Toronto Maple Leafs Replacing Simmonds With Aston-Reese

Simmonds was part of Toronto’s bottom six for the previous two seasons. He supplied the team with toughness and physicality.

The 34-year-old is losing his roster spot to the younger 28-year-old Aston-Reese. During the 2021-22 season, Simmonds recorded five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in 72 games. He also recorded 148 hits. Aston-Reese recorded five goals and ten assists for 15 points in 69 games. He registered 231 hits last season.

It makes sense for Toronto to go with the younger and more physical Aston Reese. His physicality is the main reason Toronto brought him into training camp on a professional tryout.

He impressed head coach Sheldon Keefe and GM Dubas enough for them to sign him. A fourth line with the 28-year-old Aston-Reese (231 hits) and 26-year-old Nicolas Aube-Kubel (140 hits) on it will supply the Toronto Maple Leafs with plenty of physicality.

Simmonds got to play for his hometown team and enjoyed every minute of it. Now, it’s time for the gritty veteran to move on to the next phase of his career.

Next. Tough Decisions. dark

I’m sure there are teams looking to add a player like Simmonds who are currently without the physicality he brings. He is still an NHL player, and there are teams that aren’t as deep as the Leafs who could probably use him.  As a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, I wish Wayne Simmonds all the best for the future.

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