Feb 8: Bad news indeed. Head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed to reporters including Kristen Shilton of TSN today that Simmonds broke his wrist and will be out for six weeks. The team will not have a replacement for him in the lineup tonight, going with seven defensemen instead. Rasmus Sandin will make his season debut.
Feb 7: Bad news for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team, which has been rolling of late, with quite a bit of contribution from free agent signee Wayne Simmonds, look like they will be without their veteran forward for quite some time. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that he’s hearing that the 32-year-old is expected to miss up to six weeks after leaving during the third period of Saturday’s game after being hit in the hand with a shot.
Simmonds has been integral to the team’s success so far this season as the team is currently sitting in first place in the North Division with a 9-2-1 record. Simmonds, who has struggled the last few years to produce offensively and is playing on his fifth team in less than three years, seems to have found his game now that he’s returned home. The forward has already tallied five goals in the team’s first 12 games, including a pair of goals Saturday in the team’s 5-1 win over Vancouver.
The Maple Leafs, who spent the offseason bolstering their depth, will need to use much of that as the Toronto is already without veteran Joe Thornton (rib injury) and rookie Nicholas Robertson (knee).
Not good was looking like he really found his grove. Was pivotal part of the league best pp
Why can’t we have nice things? Being a Toronto fan is awful for your health…
Hahahahaha. How true this statement is. Hopefully it’s not as bad as they’re anticipating.
It wasn’t long ago that Toronto was boasting “too much depth” after all those veteran signings. That depth is really going to be tested now as those are some pretty long term injuries they’re facing.