The New Jersey Devils have signed free agent forward Wayne Simmonds to a one-year contract worth $5MM. Coming off a brutal season, Simmonds won’t sign for any term but does get a nice paycheck as he tried to re-establish his value around the league.
After scoring at least 24 goals for the last five consecutive seasons, Simmonds’ offense dropped off a cliff in 2018-19 and he had just 16 goals and 27 points when the trade deadline rolled around. At that point he was shipped off to the Nashville Predators, where things just got worse. Simmonds didn’t fit in at all with his new team, eventually being demoted to the fourth line and taken off the powerplay. He scored just three points for the Predators in 17 games down the stretch, and then was held scoreless in his two postseason appearances.
The question was whether Simmonds, who plays a physical, powerful game was hitting his decline phase early and would be out of the NHL in a few years. Even though he’s only 30 and hasn’t ever played fewer than 75 games in a non-lockout-shortened season, his effectiveness rapidly disintegrating. New Jersey is obviously willing to take a chance that he can bounce back, as a $5MM deal provides little room for excess value. It also doesn’t have a lot of risk for a team with plenty of cap space though, as even if he fails to get back to the 30-goal powerhouse he once was, he’ll be a free agent again in a year’s time.
If he can regain any of that production though, the Devils’ powerplay could be getting another elite talent. Already adding star draft pick Jack Hughes and offensive dynamo P.K. Subban, the Taylor Hall-led team could potentially be extremely dangerous with the man advantage.
Another great move for Shero and NJ.
Agreed!
no! wanted him back in Philly, but then again, that’s a bit more then is reasonable given his numbers last year.
Wow. Nice signing. If nothing else, New Jersey will be interesting. Maybe even a dark horse playoff team.