The New Jersey Devils made their first move of NHL Free Agency by signing forward Wayne Simmonds to a one year, $5 million deal. Simmonds split last season with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Nashville Predators. He was traded at the deadline after spending the past seven years in the City of Brotherly Love.
After he was traded, he did not impress at all in Nashville; scoring three points in seventeen games. Devils fans definitely remember Simmonds in his days with the Flyers as being a hard-nosed player who also put up points.
This move is absolutely a “prove-it” contract that is a win-win for both parties. Simmonds has a mammoth presence in front of the net on the power play. His play in front of the net on the power play is not too far behind the likes of James van Riemsdyk. He scored 94 power play goals during his time in Philadelphia, with his career high being 16 goals in 2016-17. His career high in points is 60, which he accomplished in 2013-14 and 2015-16.
Simmonds also brings a great leadership quality to this young Devils team. He was this year’s winners of the Mark Messier Leadership Award for his work off the ice. Simmonds would be a leader for this team for the likes of Miles Wood, Blake Coleman, among many others.
If Taylor Hall or Travis Zajac miss a game this season for any reason, do not be surprised if Simmonds ends up with an ‘A’ on his jersey. He seems to be beloved by his teammates and well respected around the league. He has always played a clean and gritty game that garners the respect of his opponents as well.
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Simmonds coming in on a one-year deal to see if he can recapture his days of bagging forty plus points is a good move for Ray Shero. If Simmonds scored 10 goals on the power play, scores 40 points, and the Devils make the playoffs it will be one of the most underrated moves of the offseason. On top of that, if Simmonds is successful in the Devils’ system, he could re-sign and it would be another good move for Shero. If Simmonds gets hampered by injuries and cannot be what he once was, his contract ends after this season and the Devils don’t have to worry about it when Hall and Nico Hischier‘s contracts are up.
Bringing in Simmonds on a one year deal to get to the cap floor is a lot better than singing Anders Lee to a six-year deal for $9 million a year. A great move by Ray Shero who brings in another recognizable player and name in hopes to convince Taylor Hall to stay.