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Toronto Maple Leafs: Possible Wayne Simmonds Trade Options

By Jeremy Ridgewell |
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

For the time being, the Toronto Maple Leafs have Wayne Simmonds as an extra forward. He is on the roster because of the cap space created by Toronto having goaltender Matt Murray on long-term injury reserve.

When Simmonds did not make the Toronto Maple Leafs main roster out of training camp,  general manager Kyle Dubas emailed all 31 other GMs and informed them that Simmonds was available for trade.

Since then, the trade talk has remained quiet.

Simmonds does have a 10-team no-trade list, but at this stage of his career, he can’t be too picky about potential destinations if it means he can continue playing in the NHL. He’s not the player he used to be, but his physical style and leadership skills could be something another team is looking to acquire.

With a $900,000 cap hit, Simmonds can add depth to teams that don’t have much salary cap available. So which teams might have an interest in Simmonds? Here is a look at a few possible destinations. (Cap info from capfriendly.com)

Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Partners for Wayne Simmonds

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins have Ron Hextall and Brian Burke in their front office. Simmonds plays with an edge and is not afraid to hit or drop the gloves. Characteristics that Hextall and Burke have always loved having on their teams in the past.

Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter is the type of coach that would welcome a player like Simmonds to his lineup. The Flames are a playoff-caliber team with a mix of youth and veterans. Simmonds would add more physicality to the Flames’ roster and make them harder to play against.

Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers are the team where Simmonds found the most success. They are a fairly young team and could benefit from his leadership. Head coach John Tortorella wouldn’t mind having a player like Simmonds on his team.

Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings are reportedly going all in this season. Simmonds could see his NHL career go full circle by joining the team that drafted him. The gritty veteran spent the first three seasons of his career in Los Angeles. The Kings might be willing to add Simmonds for his leadership and as a veteran depth piece for the playoffs.

dark. Next. Week 1 NHL and Leafs News in Review

Wherever Wayne Simmonds ends up, I hope he gets a chance to play and finish the season in NHL. The 2022-23 season could be his last season in the NHL, so it’d be nice for him to go out the way he wants to.

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