The Nashville Predators may have opened up some cap space earlier today when they moved out defenseman P.K. Subban and his $9MM contract over the next three years. However, even with that extra cap space, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that Nashville general manager David Poile said that the team will not be bringing back unrestricted free agent Wayne Simmonds this offseason. The Tennessean’s Paul Skrbina adds that Poile also said that the team has no intention of bringing back Zac Rinaldo or Cody McLeod either.
Poile also notes that the team is still interested in bringing back unrestricted free agent Brian Boyle.
Simmonds was one Nashville’s biggest trade-deadline acquisition as they traded winger Ryan Hartman and a 2020 fourth-round pick in order to get the 6-foot-2 power forward in hopes of adding more physicality and scoring to their middle-six lines. However, Simmonds struggled once he joined Nashville, scoring one goal and three points in 17 games and then going scoreless in two playoff games. The 30-year-old Simmonds was a big-time scorer while with the Philadelphia Flyers, potting more than 20 goals six times and even reaching 30 goals twice. However, he tallied a combined 17 goals last season and his 30 points is one of the fewest of his career.
The 29-year-old Rinaldo spent most of the season with Nashville, but spent much of that time in the press box, playing a total of 23 games with one goal, three points and 20 penalty minutes. The 34-year-old McLeod came over in a deadline deal as well, this one with the New York Rangers. He played seven games for Nashville and didn’t register a point. Boyle, on the other hand, scored five goals in 26 games after being picked up for a second-round pick at the trade deadline. He also added two assists in three playoff games.
Nashville has no interest in bringing back Wayne Simmons? The same guy who won the award for the most service in his community this year and the same guy last year who played down the stretch for Philadelphia with a broken ankle? I don’t know about you but I definitely would want a guy with that kind of heart on my team.
Would look great for the Bs.
he would, but would he take a short term deal? (as a way to avoid having another backes on their hands)
Why would he go to the Bs? It’s likely he actually wants a chance to WIN.
@goldenmisfit, but they did keep the guy who beats his wife so…
come back to Philly, Wayne!
B’s as in Bruins right?