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Will the Flyers Trade Wayne Simmonds Before Deadline?

David Golokhov

by David Golokhov in NHL Hockey

Updated Apr 7, 2020 · 1:09 PM PDT

Phialdelphia Flyers Wayne Simmonds
Will the Flyers trade Simmonds before the trade deadline? Photo by Pens Through My Lens (Wiki Commons) [CC License].
  • Wayne Simmonds has the second-most power play goals in the NHL since 2011-12
  • Simmonds has just 24 points so far this season
  • The Flyers are eight points out of a playoff spot

The Philadelphia Flyers have some key decisions to make before the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline: do they want to keep Wayne Simmonds long-term? The pending free agent hasn’t quite been the same since undergoing pelvic surgery last year, so the Flyers may not want to pay him big money to stick around. At the same time, he’s still a gifted, physical power forward that could be very attractive for teams making a run at the Stanley Cup.

Odds Wayne Simmonds is Traded by Deadline

Will Wayne Simmonds Be Traded Before Feb 25? Odds
Yes -120
No -120

Wayne Simmonds: Free-Agent-to-Be

The first reason that’s spurring the potential trade rumors is the fact that Simmonds’ contract is expiring. He’s in the final year of his deal and he’s a bargain at $5 million. That makes him attractive as a rental for a team that’s contending for a Stanley Cup run.

Simmonds’ is having a bit of a down year as he has just 24 points so far after notching 46, 54, and 60 in the previous three seasons. Still, he’s on pace for 24 goals, which is what he produced last season. He’s second in power play goals since the 2011-12 season, so he’s an attractive offensive piece.

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The Flyers have to determine whether it’s worth it to get something for him now because he’s likely to walk for nothing in free agency.

Flyers Are on a Run

What throws a kink into the plans here is that the Flyers, who had been without a pulse most of the season, are the hottest team in the NHL right now. They had collected 38 points in their first 45 games this season, but have 19 points in their last 11. They’ve made the playoffs just three times in the last seven seasons, so one can understand the allure of keeping the team together to make a run.

At the same time, the Flyers still have a long way to go. They currently have 57 points on the season, which puts them eight points out of a playoff spot. They’ll have to leapfrog three other teams. That’s not bad if they can maintain their recent pace.

On the other hand, they are only 10 points out of last place in the Eastern Conference, so that shows you just how far they have to go.

Simmonds Likely to Get Moved

Although the odds show that the trade of Simmonds could go either way, he’s likely to get moved.

To start, the trade deadline isn’t until February 25th. If the Flyers maintain their torrid pace between now and then, they’ll be in playoff position and could possibly keep Simmonds. That’s a possibility. When you consider, though, that the Flyers posted an eight-game losing streak right before this current 9-1-1 hot stretch, you realize that this team can get just as cold as they’ve been hot.

Much has been made about the performance of goaltender Carter Hart, who has been incredible of late. But even with his record-setting eight-game winning streak, the Flyers are just 11-7 in his starts. That won’t be good enough to close the gap. Even if they make the playoffs, this team isn’t built to last long in the postseason. They know that. Look for them to move on from Simmonds and get what they can.

Even if the Flyers were to make the playoffs, they won’t be going far. This team isn’t built for long-term success. That being the case, bet Simmonds being traded.

Our NHL Trade Deadline Coverage:

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