One Man's Ceiling is Another Man's Floor

by Quisp on Dec 7, 2011 9:28 AM PST

LOS ANGELES CA - FEBRUARY 24: (L-R) Marco Sturm #10 Wayne Simmonds #17 and Jack Johnson #3 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrate Simmonds' second goal of the game in the second period against the Minnesota Wild at Staples Center on February 24 2011 in Los Angeles California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Flyers: Where Have You Gone, Wayne Simmonds? | Bleacher Report
Although the orange and black currently lead the league in goals per game, Simmonds has not been the contributor he was expected to be. Over the past 18 games Simmonds has managed only three goals and one assist with a minus-4 rating, including a six-game stretch from October 24 to November 3 and a seven-game stretch from November 17 to December 2 in which he went scoreless. Simmonds is currently 12th on the Flyers with nine points (5G/4A) trailing three defenseman—Kimmo Timonen (17 points), Chris Pronger (12 points) and Matt Carle (11 points).

Simmond's 5 goals would be fourth on the Kings, behind Anze Kopitar, Simon Gagne and Mike Richards.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

two of his goals came on the PP, so he would have only 3 with us (if that)

For every moment of triumph, for every instance of beauty, many souls must be trampled.

by Nut on Dec 7, 2011 9:33 AM PST reply actions

I’d rather have richards.

by lnickerson88 on Dec 7, 2011 11:07 AM PST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

And so it begins...

Dear Philly,

Keep it up. We’d like him back in two years.

by Doughty99 on Dec 7, 2011 11:31 AM PST reply actions

What were they expecting, 30 goals? They got a very young 3rd liner / energy guy.

Dinglebarnin' It JftC

by Niesy on Dec 7, 2011 12:27 PM PST reply actions

A streaky one at that if I correctly recall.

I did the NYR-Flyers game two weeks ago…Flyers were shut out…Simmonds was the only Flyer consistently carrying pucks into the circle and seemed like the only Flyer getting any shots…abet weak ones.

Are Teemu Selanne and Melanie Griffith Twins?

by USHA#17 on Dec 7, 2011 3:11 PM PST up reply actions

What were they expecting?

Sounds like some of the Kings fans that thought he was a 30 goal scorer.

He’s a very good 3rd line player and is due for 15-20 goals a year IMO.

by Dan H. on Dec 7, 2011 1:47 PM PST reply actions

The bleacher report is garbage

It would be another thing if this was on Broad Street Hockey where there are actually knowledgable fans.

It’s been very clear he has been asked to fulfill a particular role, and that is one that isn’t going to be reflected in points as often. They are using him to go down low, and do the dirty work and take the abuse required to screen the goalies and open things up for other players. In last nights game against Buffalo for example, he set screens that resulted in several goals against Ryan Miller which did not produce assists, but that were directly related to the screens. He’s also been called on a few times to drop the gloves, and his ability to do that from time to time has freed the Flyers from having to dress Jody Shelley.

In short, I am willing to bet that the highest scoring team in the league is not concerned whatsoever with Simmonds scoring. From time to time he will pop in a goal, but that is not the role he’s being asked to play, and given his ice time and how he’s being used, I have no doubt that the coaching staff is very happy with his contribution to date.

by Gizmoitus on Dec 8, 2011 11:38 AM PST reply actions