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Expect Toronto Maple Leafs to Trade Wayne Simmonds Soon

By Stephen Nixon |
May 4, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Wayne Simmonds (24) tries to control the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period of game two of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Wayne Simmonds (24) tries to control the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period of game two of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

After clearing waivers, all signs point towards the Toronto Maple Leafs trading Wayne Simmonds.

Simmonds played 110 regular season games with the Toronto Maple Leafs over two seasons and was a fan-favorite in the city. Leafs fans have always loved local talent, but what they love even more is a blue-collar player who hits and fights, so Simmonds was the perfect match.

He unfortunately didn’t have a huge impact on the team, especially last year as he only played in two playoff games, but it was still great to see him in a Leafs jersey.

It was pretty certain that Simmonds would clear waivers, but it wasn’t certain on what his future would be. There was a chance that he would play for the Toronto Marlies but that’s not going to happen anymore, as he wasn’t listed on the team’s roster to start the season.

So, basically at this point in his career, Simmonds has an NHL contract, but nowhere to play.

As a result, he’s bound to get traded any day.

Toronto Maple Leafs Will Trade Wayne Simmonds Soon

TSN’s Chris Johnston had an interesting perspective of Simmonds saying  (and I’m paraphrasing) that Simmonds still wants to try and win a cup and would be happy to go to another team (unlike Jason Spezza) or even return to the Leafs if the situation changes.

The Edmonton Oilers are always looking for former Maple Leafs, so that could be an option for him. The Oilers don’t have a ton of grit on the fourth-line, so someone like Simmonds could be of interest.

In terms of a trade, the Oilers currently have Mike Smith’s $2.2M on Long-Term Injured Reserve, so Toronto could take on that contract and maybe a seventh-round draft pick. The Leafs have the luxury of unlimited money, so paying Smith’s contract to not play won’t be a big deal and then they can do right to Simmonds.

The Leafs could also bring him back into the lineup. It’s only been two games, but so far the guys replacing him haven’t done anything more than Simmonds could have.  Probably a lot less, actually, so we’ll have to see how that goes.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs won’t be fetching much value in a Simmonds trade, so basically anything that doesn’t add to their salary cap would be ideal for them in-return. Whether that’s for a prospect, draft pick or future considerations, Simmonds should be traded before we know it.

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