Simmonds spent most of last season — prior to a strange deadline trade to Buffalo — playing on the New Jersey Devils’ third line and on the power play as a net-front presence, tallying eight goals and 24 points in 61 games. Five goals of his eight goals came by way of the man advantage. It’s a far cry from his days as a perennial 30-goal threat in Philadelphia, but the contract value fairly reflects that — and “The Wayne Train” has taken an additional discount on his market value, reportedly, in order to pursue a Cup in his hometown (the Canadiens were said to be interested, and based on the contract they just gave Josh Anderson, almost certainly offered more money).
Wayne Simmonds signs a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs
