Bob McKenzie of TSN has reported via twitter that Philadelphia Flyer forward Wayne Simmonds has agreed to a six-year extension worth an average of around $4 million per year.
Update: Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly is reporting that the new deal is worth an average of $3.84 million per year while Andy Strickland of True Hockey is reporting that it’s worth $3.97 million per year. Both are credible reporters, so it’s safe to say it’s either one of those two numbers or somewhere in-between.
Simmonds, acquired as part of the trade from the Los Angeles Kings that also brought Brayden Schenn to Philadelphia, reached a career high in goals last season with 28 goals. Eleven of those goals were scored on the powerplay, where Simmonds has been a key contributor for the Flyers’ due to his net presence.
There is one year left on his current deal, which paid out an average $1.75 million per season. The timing of the extension would be suspect if these lengthy extensions weren’t a current trend taking place around the league.
Many players, eager to cash in before the existing collective bargaining agreement is modified, have agreed to similar extensions, including Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens (six years, $4.5 million AAV) and Jeff Skinner of the Carolina Hurricanes (six years, $5.725 million AAV).
The “Wayne Train,” who will turn 24 later this month, is a valuable player to the club who still has room to grow. As the Flyers are more likely to add another defenseman than a forward at this time, there’s a realistic shot that he begins the 2012-13 NHL season (assuming there is no lockout) on the second line with Danny Briere and Brayden Schenn.
Unfortunately, this deal leaves a lot to be desired from the management side.
While Kimmo Timonen may sign a one-year extension if he does not retire, Scott Hartnell will need to be re-signed at the end of the season. One year later, the Flyers are looking at the nightmare of trying to re-sign Claude Giroux, Schenn, Sean Couturier and Matt Read. Simmonds’ is a great player to have on the books, but fitting his contract in with the other young guns isn’t going to be easy.
At the very least, the offseason trade of James van Riemsdyk to the Toronto Maple Leafs suggests that moving his contract wouldn’t be difficult.
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Crazy $$$ for a player who can’t keep up on his Skates well and often enough..m not sure I have ever wached a Professonal NHL PLayer who falls to the ice as often as he does.. Very limitd Skills when it comes to passng, paying in his lanes and being disciplined… Bad Signing in my Opinion..
Unless you think that 28 goals/ 21 assists was a fluke, then I don’t mind this signing. I like this one a lot more than the Voracek signing. Simmonds at least produced.