Simmonds played three seasons and 240 games with Los Angeles and had 39 goals and 54 assists along with 264 penalty minutes. Last season, he had 14 goals and 16 assists. Simmonds was the Kings' second-round pick, No. 61 overall, in the 2007 draft. At the time of the deal, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said he felt strongly that Simmonds is capable of scoring more goals.
"I think Wayne can score more than he scored in L.A., given a little more opportunity," Holmgren said last week during a news conference to introduce some new Flyers. "We look for big things from Wayne. He's a rough-and-tumble, rugged winger who we think has a real upside in offensive production."
At the same news conference, the 6-foot-2 Simmonds sounded eager to embrace the Flyers' penchant for physical play.
"Broad Street Bullies like to play physical and hit everything that moves," he said. "That's the way I like to play. I feel if I'm not playing physical, then I'm not playing well. I think I can help in that aspect."
Simmonds was a restricted free agent. His signing means the Flyers have all the players they acquired in both the Richards and Carter trades under contract.
Simmonds played in all 82 games as a rookie and quickly became popular with Kings fans because of his hard-charging style of play. In his second season, when he spent some time on the Kings' top line after Justin Williams suffered an injury, Simmonds had 16 goals and 24 assists and added two goals in six playoff games. But rather than increase his offensive production last season, he slipped slightly to 14 goals and 16 assists. He had three goals and three assists in 12 playoff games.
Contact staff writer Ray Parrillo at 215-854-2743 or rparrillo@phillynews.com.
