Odds Favor Wayne Simmonds Signing With Minnesota Wild in Free Agency, Canadiens Given 5-1 Odds
- Wayne Simmons played last year with the Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators
- The Minnesota Wild and Montreal Canadiens have inquired about the forward
- Who’s the best bet to land him?
Wayne Simmonds will hit the open market for the first time this summer. The forward re-signed with the Philadelphia Flyers back in 2012 to avoid free agency but after a season split between the Flyers and Predators, the 30-year-old is one of the top players available come July 1.
Wayne Simmonds Free Agency Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Minnesota Wild | +160 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +500 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | +550 |
| Boston Bruins | +650 |
| New York Rangers | +700 |
| Nashville Predators | +750 |
| New Jersey Devils | +1200 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +2000 |
*Odds taken 06/27/19
Simmonds is coming off of a 30-point season, but makes a bigger impact on the defensive end and being a very tough player to play against. The Canadian adds an energetic big body into the lineup that can grind in the corners and still make plays on the offensive end.
And, ahead of his free agency, it is the Minnesota Wild and the Montreal Canadiens showing the most interest in him.
Who’s the Best Bet?
All signs appear that it is a two-team race to sign Wayne Simmonds and those two teams are the Minnesota Wild and the Montreal Canadiens. According to various reports, the Wild and Canadiens have both reached out to Simmonds’ camp and have expressed a ton of interest in the power forward. But, which one will land him?
I think Simmonds fits best on the Minnesota Wild roster and I believe he signs there. The Wild are very close to being a playoff team and adding a big body like Simmonds will only help them. He can play on the second or third line and have an impact right away. In the Western Conference, there are a ton of big teams and Minnesota needs to add someone in order to compete and have success.
But, the good thing about Wayne Simmonds and his style of play is that he can fit on any lineup and make an impact on any team. And, Simmonds is a leader on and off the ice that will help mentor some of the younger players the Wild have on the roster.
Are the Wild Worth Betting?
Yes, the Minnesota Wild are absolutely worth betting given they are offered at plus-money. I expect over the course of the next few days reports will come out that the Wild are in pursuit of signing Simmonds and the value will soon be gone.
The Wild had a tough 2018-19 season but have a good roster that could make the playoffs and they have the cap room to bring in players, and one will no doubt be Wayne Simmonds.
Pick: Minnesota Wild (+160)
Cole graduated from Sheridan College in April of 2019 with a diploma in journalism. He now is a full-time freelance writer, focusing on MMA for sites like BJPENN, while also covering the Toronto Blue Jays as a credentialed media member. At SBD, Cole covers the four major sports and MMA.
