Confirmed with Link: Leafs sign Simmonds to a 2 year extension (900k AAV)

[myleafs]

I want our next grit signing to also be a PK guy.
No need for more PP2 guys

Guaranteed Simmonds is pp1...its the way we roll.

 

[Warden of the North]

AAV means the term is irrelevant.

Completely fine with the signing

 

[myleafs]

Dubas is starting to learn that waiting to deal with contracts costs you millions.
By solidifying the no brainers, he will know what kind of bidding he can do for the Coleman types after the expansion draft.

I think there are going to be a lot of disappointed people in here when our 3rd line is actually Mik, Engval and some min wage scrub.

 

[VanW27]

4th line vet PP specialist - if we didn't already have a far superior player in the same role (Spezza) I'd say sure, why not.

Even in his prime he was a poor 5v5 player - now he is one of the worst in all of hockey. Either he makes the 4th line a complete train wreck defensively or he drags the 3rd line down because he can't keep up. I don't see any reasonable way to utilize him in a way that makes the team better - Seriously why? Forget any thoughts on that wrist injury slowing him down, he's been this bad for years. Nashville picked him up at the 2019 trade deadline and ended up scratching him in the playoffs because he was so terrible.

 

[cannucky]

1 plug is as good as another around here , we have to fill the roster somehow and they have to be under contract to be exposed to Seattle so whatever who's next ?

 

[VanW27]

1 plug is as good as another around here , we have to fill the roster somehow and they have to be under contract to be exposed to Seattle so whatever who's next ?

Maybe some guys who can skate at least? It's only the most fundamental skill required to play hockey.

 

[Jmo89]

I thought he could make an impact but he did nothing in the playoffs. Hopefully he isn't guaranteed a spot.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Simmonds can be our Josh Anderson? I think you worked yourself up into a frenzy.

Minus the scoring, yes he can.

If Simmonds scores 10-12 goals a year but provides a physical, net presence. That's money in the bank. His production fell dramatically post-injury, but he still finished with 7 goals. Not bad for 38 games considering his role.

If he had maintained his pre-injury stats, there would be far more optimism with his re-signing. It's why I say, it's up to him to come back healthy, strong and just as hungry as when he first put on the blue and white. He cares about his teammates and winning, that's a quality Leafs need more of. If he does this, he will be a fan favourite. We can't underestimate the role the fans will play next season, even for this downtrodden franchise.

As a comparison, not even looking at the salary or the asset traded: Anderson was off to a great start, then he declined in his production even further than Simmonds did even though he had a far more prominent role, minutes and expectations. Andersons last 11 games of the regular season he had exactly zero points. In 18 games in the playoffs, he had 4 points and is a -2.

He was a good pickup for the Habs and all teams would like to have players like him. Simmonds can play an equally physical role with a few less points in far less minutes and it would be an excellent contribution, especially for his cap hit.

 

[ShaneFalco]

4th line vet PP specialist - if we didn't already have a far superior player in the same role (Spezza) I'd say sure, why not.

Even in his prime he was a poor 5v5 player - now he is one of the worst in all of hockey. Either he makes the 4th line a complete train wreck defensively or he drags the 3rd line down because he can't keep up. I don't see any reasonable way to utilize him in a way that makes the team better - Seriously why? Forget any thoughts on that wrist injury slowing him down, he's been this bad for years. Nashville picked him up at the 2019 trade deadline and ended up scratching him in the playoffs because he was so terrible.

And we don't scratch players (vets), that would be mean

 

[myleafs]

The Simmonds in Philadelphia was a game changer, night in and night out.

Leafs need Simmonds to come in healthy and strong. He can still be even 80% of that player he was in Philly and Leafs would have a great asset for the type of playoff hockey needed to win.

He is still young enough to heal well and come in strong. Age is about how you take care of your body and prepare.

The pre-injured Simmonds this year was a great player. Anyone in the Leafs organization would take that player in a heartbeat.

Thing is he himself said last year that he came into camp in the best health he has had for 3-4 years. I have no doubt he will be in good shape to start but for him to have any effectiveness he has to play with an edge and when he does that he gets injured.

 

[Bellzy]

900k cap hit

Absolutely love it! 2 years at 900k. MY GUYYY

 

[Wrong Wilson]

Can't complain at that price.

 

[VanW27]

And we don't scratch players (vets), that would be mean

Yeah, I said that in my first post in this thread. If they were willing to waive/demote and usage was based on merit, no problem, last season proved they aren't willing to do that as we ran out 2 players who are clearly not NHL quality as everyday players all season long.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

I am having trouble understanding why some people are objecting to this signing. This contract can be buried with the Marlies for no cost to our cap space if he is does not work out. How many proven veterans that still bring an element of toughness (an element sorely lacking) are available for that price? If people are worried that the coach will misuse him, then fire the coach. If it so happens he turns out to be "useless" send him down to the Marlies to help Clune.

It's the thought process behind the signing that is the problem.

1. He's not worth 900k
2. He's certainly not worth a two-year term at that amount
3. He was good during the easiest part of the regular season (pretty much a little hot streak)
4. He no-showed in the playoffs
5. He has displayed no visible improvement post-injury to suggest he'll be good next year let alone in the second season
6. Once again sets a bad precedent of paying players above their contribution to the team (every little bit counts)
7. That money being paid is still real money even when buried. They have an annual budget just like any other team. This will eventually limit his ability to sign depth contracts one way or another.

The bigger question is why does every contract Dubas signs have a built-in excuse with it?

Excuses such as he'll bury him in the minors or he can trade him because the player's contract is front-loaded with signing bonuses. Damn just sign a good contract straight up. They're so focused on cap manipulation that they don't even look at who they are signing and that player's actual worth.

The fact Keefe doesn't know how to use these players is icing on the cake. But that's a different story.

I actually think Dubas is a good GM but he has a flawed perspective on contract negotiations and the players he brings in. It started at the top with the stars and is now trickling all the way through the lineup.

 

[myleafs]

I think it's much more than that. Dubas will perpetually be against the Cap. He simply can't get the game changers he needs unless he can find savings down the line. It's about finding value with a player he now is familiar with.

Players like Spezza and Simmonds who made their money in better times are willing to sign slightly less because the lost revenue, especially after taxes; isn't that significant at this point. They'd rather stay on a team they believe in, a city they enjoy. Everyone knows the Leafs Cap situation. Simmonds, Spezza and others certainly do.

Simmonds at 900k isn't going to make or break your lineup. It's all upside if he can play his effective game. He isn't a first line player, he's a depth guy who when he's healthy can have an impact and lead with his voice. When he was standing in front of the net on the PP and played with conviction, he was more than adequate.

Just look at Spezza last year, he was one of the best bargains in the NHL on a point per dollar basis. If Simmonds plays the way he did pre-injury, it's the type of astute signing all GM's want. In the case of Dubas, it's what he needs as his options to ice a Cup challenging team are more limited due to the money tied up in the "core".

Is all good in theory and I bought into it last year, but other than Spezza who could drop off any day now the 3 other old battered guys brought in Joe, Simmonds, Foligno gave us nothing in the playoffs. Their mind might still be willing but it looks to me like their bodies are not.

 

[myleafs]

Dubas working on it...trying to keep it under $1 million, but can't decide whether it's a year or longer...

3 yrs to keep the cap hit down....

 

[Bellzy]

Stop spreading that BS. There was no teams after him and not for that money

Simmonds is a filler. Hes trash and garbage
He was rag dolled by the Habs.

Everyone keeps talking about he can play when is healthy

He hasn't been healthy in 6 years. He has no playoff goals in 24 games.

Can we not get guys who can play for league minimum ? Why not just save space for an Ahler

The way I see it. Rich Clune is done with the Marlies and Simmonds going to take his spot

Ride out his career in AHL and once in a while NHL tea

Your saltier than the Atlantic Ocean bawddd

 

[Lightsol]

I think there are going to be a lot of disappointed people in here when our 3rd line is actually Mik, Engval and some min wage scrub.

And as we saw, that line actually isn't terrible for shutting down opposing scoring lines, depending on who the min wage scrub is. Though I'd prefer they spent a little more to get a rougher guy.

 

[myleafs]

What's Kyle's end game here?

Going by end of season comments and recent signing of Simmonds, looks to be running it back for the most part. I think that the brass believes they are on the right path and almost had it this last season. How anyone can watch the other teams in the playoffs and think we are at the cusp of greatness is beyond me.

 

[Gallagbi]

Give me kuraly over soup any day. Zero points in 12 playoff game for soup sums him up pretty well.

Kuraly just went 0 points in 11 games this post season. He has 2 points over his team's last 18 playoff games.

Not sure you can expect much of an offensive explosion from Kuraly come playoff team and his regular season numbers are much worse than Soup

 

[Lightsol]

Minus the scoring, yes he can.

If Simmonds scores 10-12 goals a year but provides a physical, net presence. That's money in the bank. His production fell dramatically post-injury, but he still finished with 7 goals. Not bad for 38 games considering his role.

If he had maintained his pre-injury stats, there would be far more optimism with his re-signing. It's why I say, it's up to him to come back healthy, strong and just as hungry as when he first put on the blue and white. He cares about his teammates and winning, that's a quality Leafs need more of. If he does this, he will be a fan favourite. We can't underestimate the role the fans will play next season, even for this downtrodden franchise.

As a comparison, not even looking at the salary or the asset traded: Anderson was off to a great start, then he declined in his production even further than Simmonds did even though he had a far more prominent role, minutes and expectations. Andersons last 11 games of the regular season he had exactly zero points. In 18 games in the playoffs, he had 4 points and is a -2.

He was a good pickup for the Habs and all teams would like to have players like him. Simmonds can play an equally physical role with a few less points in far less minutes and it would be an excellent contribution, especially for his cap hit.

Seriously, Anderson is one of the worst "tough" wingers I've ever seen in my life. 99% of his offense comes because he blows the defensive zone first chance he gets and waits behind the defense for an outlet pass. He's not actually FAST enough to beat people out for breakaways, so he needs the head start. If we had him, we'd be tearing our hair out over the number of times his line got hemmed in from him blowing the zone for his stretch pass breakaway bullshit. And that and bullshit after-whistle antics are all you really get from him.

 

[bentharbs]

Please don’t forget how good Simmonds was before injury.

 

[myleafs]

And as we saw, that line actually isn't terrible for shutting down opposing scoring lines, depending on who the min wage scrub is. Though I'd prefer they spent a little more to get a rougher guy.

They were ok I guess by those standards but they don't move the needle at all. That 3rd line had zero identity which is why Hyman was so important there, he drove that line but of course we stopped playing him there because our 22 million duo needed someone to do the dirty work. So basically we are going with 2 bottom lines we don't expect anything from other than try not to get scored on and again will rely solely on the top earners to get the job done. What could go wrong?

Personally if we are only counting on the top guys to score I would much prefer a nasty to play against bottom 6, guys who will wear down the opposing dmen and just be a pain the ass to play against and not some generic vanilla version that I witnessed against the Habs.

 

[myleafs]

They young core has already learned their lesson...that you don't need to show up in the playoffs to make big money...and that early playoff exits mean longer summer vacations...I mean, how else are you going to spend all that money, right?

pretty good gig if you can get it

 

[Lightsol]

That 3rd line had zero identity which is why Hyman was so important there, he drove that line but of course we stopped playing him there because our 22 million duo needed someone to do the dirty work.

And I'd argue that was a BIG part of that line coming up flat in the playoffs. I don't know why Keefe, after spending most of the year experimenting with wingers that weren't Hyman in that spot, decided going into the playoffs that Hyman at around 70% should go there... I actually lost count of the number of setups that were blown by Zack Hyman that a player with some hands probably could have buried, and then rather than talking about how Marner & Matthews blew it, we're probably talking about the Leafs making a longer run. I don't blame Hyman; that was just another in a list of bonehead decisions Keefe made that I don't entirely understand (you trade for Foligno, you put him with Matthews and Marner, he scores a few goals in his first few games, he gets hurt, and you completely abandon that plan permanently? Why?)