Mike Augello: Is Simmonds a fit for Leafs??

Mike Augello: Is Simmonds a fit for Leafs??
- mikeinbuffalo

From the last blog in response to Wedgie...

I suspect teams have plans A, B and C. GM's likely have trades in principle agreed upon. Lots of irons in the fire. GMs need to be super prepared for this off season. Entry draft, Free agency, expansion draft planning, trades. Teams like Tampa who need to shed cap space to re-sign key young players. The league wide goalie musical chairs bonanza.

I expect a few teams to be temporarily over the cap. The Leafs could be one of them. Dubas may strike quickly to fill needs then get under the cap later. Some teams will be dumping payroll like crazy. Like Florida. Ottawa has lots of cap space but have a cheap owner. Red Wings have lots of Cap space and lots of money but are committed to a long term rebuild. It'll be VERY interesting to see what teams look like after all the dust settles.

I don't think that Simmonds is what the Leafs need right now. He certainly isnt going to improve the defensive ability of the forward corps.

I loved his play when he was with the Flyers, I'm just afraid (as I said in the last blog), that he's cooked now. Age and accumulated injuries, they are the bane of power forwards in the NHL.

If the leafs can get Simmonds on a buriable one year one way contract and Simmonds is ok with sitting in the press box half the time, (frank) it, sign him. Who is he taking playing time away from? Malgin? whatever.

Toronto boy, had a good run, gud pro, 6'2 every day he shows up to the rink.

No, he's not. Next question.

If the leafs can get Simmonds on a buriable one year one way contract and Simmonds is ok with sitting in the press box half the time, (frank) it, sign him. Who is he taking playing time away from? Malgin? whatever.

Toronto boy, had a good run, gud pro, 6'2 every day he shows up to the rink.
- TheMussel

Yes Guy.

Simmonds on the Spezza contract

For the Spezza deal, sure. For much more than that? Nah.

I don't think that Simmonds is what the Leafs need right now. He certainly isnt going to improve the defensive ability of the forward corps.

I loved his play when he was with the Flyers, I'm just afraid (as I said in the last blog), that he's cooked now. Age and accumulated injuries, they are the bane of power forwards in the NHL.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Simmonds was once very effective in playing a bruising, physical game who could score. But he's essentially now living off his reputation and past glory. I could see Dubas signing him for the 4th line for 1 year $1 million.

If the leafs can get Simmonds on a buriable one year one way contract and Simmonds is ok with sitting in the press box half the time, (frank) it, sign him. Who is he taking playing time away from? Malgin? whatever.

Toronto boy, had a good run, gud pro, 6'2 every day he shows up to the rink.
- TheMussel

i'd be good with that. might help out our 2nd unit pp.

i could see some gm giving a bonus heavy contract that puts us out of the running. something like perry got last year.

Simmonds was once very effective in playing a bruising, physical game who could score. But he's essentially now living off his reputation and past glory. I could see Dubas signing him for the 4th line for 1 year $1 million.
- gergeswillems

I'm still hesitant on signing him. Is his skating there at all?

From the last blog in response to Wedgie...

I suspect teams have plans A, B and C. GM's likely have trades in principle agreed upon. Lots of irons in the fire. GMs need to be super prepared for this off season. Entry draft, Free agency, expansion draft planning, trades. Teams like Tampa who need to shed cap space to re-sign key young players. The league wide goalie musical chairs bonanza.

I expect a few teams to be temporarily over the cap. The Leafs could be one of them. Dubas may strike quickly to fill needs then get under the cap later. Some teams will be dumping payroll like crazy. Like Florida. Ottawa has lots of cap space but have a cheap owner. Red Wings have lots of Cap space and lots of money but are committed to a long term rebuild. It'll be VERY interesting to see what teams look like after all the dust settles.
- gergeswillems

I'm surprised that there hasn't been more deals done yet to clear cap space. Sure there's handshake deals done but over all, there's way more teams out of the playoffs now than in so what's the hold up?

I said in the last blog that I'm surprised Arizona hasn't made a move yet to shed cap space. I'd hate to be a GM who was told to clear cap space and was stuck with the contract going into the season because they held out to get a better pick/prospect.

I'm still hesitant on signing him. Is his skating there at all?
- Aaron_85

Not really. He moves about as fast as a glacial movement now.

I'm still hesitant on signing him. Is his skating there at all?
- Aaron_85

He never skated well laterally (edge work was.. not good), but in his prime he had good top end speed and he got to that top gear fairly quickly. The last couple years, I thought it looked like he was skating in sand.

I'm surprised that there hasn't been more deals done yet to clear cap space. Sure there's handshake deals done but over all, there's way more teams out of the playoffs now than in so what's the hold up?

I said in the last blog that I'm surprised Arizona hasn't made a move yet to shed cap space. I'd hate to be a GM who was told to clear cap space and was stuck with the contract going into the season because they held out to get a better pick/prospect.
- Aaron_85

I thought there would be more action as well. I'm very interested to see what Yzerman will do with so many needs and a ton of cap space. He could certainly take on a bad contract or 2 if he can get another first round pick. But he's likely playing the long game so he likely won't get crazy and try to fast track it like the Sabres did.

Not really. He moves about as fast as a glacial movement now.
- gergeswillems

Apparently he's looking to be a leaf now after moving to Aurora a few years ago. If that was what you wanted to do, why not have taken a cheaper deal last year to be a leaf?

If you want money then go get it but it won't be as a leaf.

Mike Augello: Is Simmonds a fit for Leafs??
- mikeinbuffalo

no

next

Not really. He moves about as fast as a glacial movement now.
- gergeswillems

Babs would have loved-

Hyman Matthews Simmonds

Apparently he's looking to be a leaf now after moving to Aurora a few years ago. If that was what you wanted to do, why not have taken a cheaper deal last year to be a leaf?

If you want money then go get it but it won't be as a leaf.
- Aaron_85

Because NJ offered him a deal he couldn't refuse. His last chance for big money.

From the last blog in response to Wedgie...

I suspect teams have plans A, B and C. GM's likely have trades in principle agreed upon. Lots of irons in the fire. GMs need to be super prepared for this off season. Entry draft, Free agency, expansion draft planning, trades. Teams like Tampa who need to shed cap space to re-sign key young players. The league wide goalie musical chairs bonanza.

I expect a few teams to be temporarily over the cap. The Leafs could be one of them. Dubas may strike quickly to fill needs then get under the cap later. Some teams will be dumping payroll like crazy. Like Florida. Ottawa has lots of cap space but have a cheap owner. Red Wings have lots of Cap space and lots of money but are committed to a long term rebuild. It'll be VERY interesting to see what teams look like after all the dust settles.
- gergeswillems

I don't think its settled in for most fan.

Wouldn't shock me to see FLA purge their team.

Seriously.

Babs would have loved-

Hyman Matthews Simmonds
- Byfuglien Ate Me

Hyman-Matthews-Glendening would've been Babs' dream line.

no

next
- BINGO!

Dougie Hamilton is due to be traded.

I thought there would be more action as well. I'm very interested to see what Yzerman will do with so many needs and a ton of cap space. He could certainly take on a bad contract or 2 if he can get another first round pick. But he's likely playing the long game so he likely won't get crazy and try to fast track it like the Sabres did.
- gergeswillems

Right? Like who is the goalie of the future for detroit? If there isn't one in the pipeline do you float a 2nd round and whatever else to the Rangers for Georgiev? Demko?

Red Wings have a second luxury in not needing to sign any big RFA's this year. You could grab a guy like Kessel from Arizona and get retention or a decent prospect or if you need a dman go to them for Goligoski and take the cap hit to get something from them.

I do not envy Arizona as they need their picks/prospects but also need to use them to move the cap hits.

Dougie Hamilton is due to be traded.
- Byfuglien Ate Me

Does Pierre McGuire know which NHL cities have the best museums?

J
@Account4hockey
·
10m
Elliotte Friedman on SN960 says there are rumblings of mutual interest between Lehner and Vegas. Heard same rumours of around 5Mx5. Some wonder if there's already a deal that's been agreed to but nothing on paper right now as far as he can tell .

Yeah purge Freddy and his 1M salary and get a better goalie for cheaper...If this is the market for a guy like Lehner.