Should the Flyers Have Kept the Wayne Train?

He was well-known for his consistent scoring ability, occasional scraps with the opposition, and numerous power play goals. In fact, during the 2010s, Simmonds was ranked 4th overall in power play goals. [1]
Despite the rosy statistics and glowing reviews of his contributions to the game, the question remains: should the Flyers have kept Wayne Simmonds for the long haul?

In my opinion, the answer is no. Towards the end of his time with the Flyers, Simmonds began to show signs of wear and tear on his body due to his physical style of play. Consequently, he started to suffer from injuries that kept him out of the lineup for extended periods.

As a result, his performance experienced a steep decline, leading him to move between teams to secure a spot. After leaving the Flyers, he played for Nashville, Buffalo, and then the Maple Leafs. Unfortunately, during his final season with the Maple Leafs, he struggled to secure a regular spot in the lineup and even spent some time with the Toronto Marlies due to a lack of roster space.

Considering these factors, it becomes evident that the Flyers made the right decision to part ways with Simmonds when they did. They managed to maximize his contributions during his prime playing years and wisely moved on from him before his decline became too apparent.

While Simmonds will always be remembered as a valuable player during his time in Philadelphia, it was ultimately in the best interest of both parties to part ways.