Should New Jersey Devils Trade or Re-Sign Wayne Simmonds?
By Nick Villano
New reports say Wayne Simmonds wants to be part of the solution in New Jersey instead of getting traded to a contender. Should the New Jersey Devils consider keeping him long term?
The New Jersey Devils made plenty of big splashes this offseason. They traded for P.K. Subban and Nikita Gusev. They drafted Jack Hughes among 11 total draft picks in this year’s draft. Then, they signed Wayne Simmonds in free agency. This was supposed to be the year the rebuild ended, but instead Taylor Hall is on the Arizona Coyotes and the Devils are wondering which pieces are going to get them the best piece in return.
One of those pieces that seems like an obvious trade candidate is Simmonds. The Devils signed him to a one-year, $5 million deal. There’s no ties before the season to the former Philadelphia Flyers player, and there is nothing keeping him here after this season.
However, in Elliotte Friedman’s most recent 31 Thoughts, he floats the idea that Simmonds might want to be part of the solution instead of leaving because of the problem.
Simmonds is an interesting player for the Devils this season. He signed a one-year deal because he was trying to get his contract back on track. He’s been having a rough go at it over the last few games, but this comes after a really productive November. He has to find some kind of consistency if he is going to be a long-term member of the Devils.
Optimal Lineup After Taylor Hall Trade. dark. Next
Simmonds only has four goals and eight assists this year. He’s only on pace for 30 points, which is probably fine if his aspirations are to be a fourth liner. However, if the Devils are going to commit to Simmonds for longer than this season, he has to start scoring goals, especially on the power play. His 5v5 numbers are problematic, as they were when he signed here,
A lot of Simmonds issues have to do with bad luck. He’s actually doing really well in the high-danger chances department. He is on the ice for a little less than two high-danger opportunities per game. Yet, he’s only been on the ice for five high-danger goals on 61 high-danger shots.
Right now is not the time for the Devils to make this decision. The team has to see how they play not that Taylor Hall and the constant questions about his status is no longer an issue. Will Simmonds be able step up his game and score the goals that were originally slated for Hall?
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The main question is to keep Simmonds or to not keep Simmonds. The Devils wouldn’t get a great return for Simmonds right now. Last season, the Nashville Predators gave up Ryan Hartman and a 4th-round pick. The Devils probably wouldn’t get that kind of package right now.
Would the Devils rather have another 4th-round pick, or would they give a roster spot to a 31 year old who is on the other side of his prime. He’s never going to be the 30-goal scorer he once was, but if his luck turns around he can still be a great bottom six forward.
Right now, it’s worth it to test Simmonds out and see whether he can play better. That would either give the Devils a reason to keep him, or it would upgrade his trade value. We don’t see his value going down any more than it’s already gone down. This is well worth the risk to wait.