Rumor: Flyers, Simmonds and insane trade speculation

Sportsnet analyst and NHL insider Nick Kypreos dropped a bomb on Philadelphia Flyers fans when he reported that the team may look to trade fan favorite Wayne Simmonds.

Kypreos reports that, while he feels GM Ron Hextall would prefer to hold on to Simmonds, the team’s salary cap structure may make it impossible for that to happen. With other big name players like Jake Voracek and Claude Giroux earning the big bucks in Philly, Simmonds could find himself on the outside looking in when his contract expires in the summer of 2019.

If in fact Simmonds hits the trade market, expect several teams to line up their offers for the first-line power forward. In 26 games for the struggling Flyers this season, Simmonds has seven goals and 14 points. He’s hit 30 goals the past two seasons, but could have a difficult time reach that plateau again this season, given just how poorly the Flyers have been.

Nevertheless, Simmonds will be a hot commodity and could provide the Flyers with a bounty of a return. Don’t be surprised if you start to hear his name pop up in more and more trade rumors between now and the February 26th trade deadline.