I’ve had readers ask, recently, about players’ thoughts about trades/trade rumors. My response has been that, during the heart of a playoff race, I think players pay attention to them far less than fans do. But I thought it would be interesting to ask Wayne Simmonds about it, not only because the Kovalchuk trade just went down but because his name was floated, and there seemed to be near-unanimous agreement that the Kings shouldn’t trade him. I asked Simmonds if he was aware that the vast majority of fans were adamant that he not be included in a trade…
SIMMONDS: “It’s good for my confidence, to hear that, to hear what the fans are saying. That’s pretty nice. It makes a guy feel good. Obviously, I’ve just got to keep doing the right things, what I’ve been doing, and hopefully I can continue to get the same response.”
To follow up, I asked Simmonds about the idea that, given how well the Kings have been playing, it might be wiser to just “let it ride” and not risk disrupting the roster as currently constructed…
SIMMONDS: “We’ve been playing really well of late. You know, it’s a part of the business but, at the same time, we’re not even thinking about that. That’s the furthest thing from our minds right now. We’re just concentrating on playing. We have good chemistry in this room here, and I like the way it is right now.”
Glad Simmonds knows how we feel. Trading him to rent Kovi would have cause Kings fans to do their best Detroit fan impressions and attempt to leap from high places.
Simmonds will be a fan favorite for years to come, no doubt, thanks to his honest style of play.
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Agree, especially wen we can roll the dice to maybe have both next season.
On an unrelated note. How is Vancouver above us in the standings? We have 3 points on them and 1 played 1 more game.
Even if they win that 1 more game, we are still a point ahead. Make sno sense.
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Simmonds keep up the good play and help lead this team into the playoffs and prove the hockey world the Kings are for real…
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Because they are leading their division
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Wayne Simmonds is a King for life.
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I love simmer *wipes tear from corner of my eye*
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Great post Lanny, couldn’t agree more. And whatever was the story with that guy anyway? Looking to launch a squid from great heights? Too much booze?
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1st place in each division get seeded 1,2 & 3 in the conference. yes it sucks. it makes about as much sense as Detroit being in the Western Conference.
As for WS…the man is awesome. glad he knows we love having him, and we hope he stays for a long long time.
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yeah, 3 division winners, then the rest in points.
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WTF:
Division leaders are always ranked 1,2,3
It’s a policy that ensures if you have a harder division (because you play your own division the most) that you will still have a representative in the playoffs. No matter how many points we have, the only way we can rank higher than 4th is to pass San Jose.
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I hope that simmers can stay healthy through out his career. Potential is unlimited, it’s really great to watch his development he has learned so much from playing with fro and Zeus. The way he controls and shields the puck is exactly like fro
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“it makes about as much sense as Detroit being in the Western Conference.”
So you’re saying that winning your division should mean absolutely nothing?
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Like I mentioned in my last post, it ensures an equal opportunity for all divisions. (It’s how pretty much EVERY sport does playoff rankings)
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I didn’t think about that, that guy might have been attempting the most epic octopus drop ever.
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“That’s how we do it boys!”
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The guy was going to drop his pants and moon the crowd,but got caught.
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Does Simmonds have hints of Adam Deadmarsh? Scores timely goals. Big hits. Will stand up for teammates. Will fight anyone. I can see it happening, once he fills out more and matures more. He’s only what 21, I think? He has good skill and a whole lot of grit to go along with it. I’m anxious to see him in the playoffs. He’s the kind of player that inspires teams to playoff series wins.
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Thanks Rich
Glad Simmers knows what the fans think of him.
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Feb 11th is Wayne Simmonds bobblehead night, only the first 10,000 fans get them, so get there early! Hahah!
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Deader was more like a Smyth,Simmer high-brid.He could skate and shoot,but 5ft away from the net was his bread and butter.
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I have a HUGE man-crush on the Simmer. He just needs some weight to become unstoppable!!! (Cue menacing laugh)
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Sounds about right.
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Paki- I never really looked at that comparison for some reason. but you know what…yeah, he kinda does. Like you said, with more experience and if he fills out some more…for sure.
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Crosstown,
Agreed… Simmer is a stud and hopefully here ’til retirement in 20 seasons.
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WE <3 U, MEAT TRAIN!!!
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Rich, I never noticed it before, but he does look like Sally Field.
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Rich:
Can you get Simmonds into our group picture on the ice on Thursday? That would be a great appropriate thing, since it’s his bobblehead giveaway, don’t you think?
Just put WS right in the center of the picture!
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Keep it up Simmer !!
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My family is planning a vacation to Toronto just to go see the birth place and home rink of Simmonds. The guy is legend.
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Even though I can’t make it.I second Bako’s request.I can’t wait to see the pictures.
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Enstrom just scored for ATL…
atl 1-0 WSH, early first period
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O topic question does anyone know if the first 3 rounds of the playoffs are going to be on versus again?
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Simmonds is gonna be a good player, no doubt, but let’s hold off on the Deadmarsh comparisons for a bit. That’s my hero you’re talking about there…
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word on the streets…kings are in on Whitney/Torres/Poni-boy (ESPN…well Lebrun)
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‘Stache, I agree that the one word that describes Simmonds’ playing style is “honest.” And that’s a quality that I think most every fan appreciates!
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Would it be considered bitter of me to hope the ATL beats WAS and TOR beats NJ tonight!
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As far as the topic goes, I’m glad Simmer knows how much we appreciate and support him.
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atl/WSH:
The Gaping Hole versus the Streak…
tor/NJ:
Canada’s/Brian Burke’s Dream versus Kopi’s new Caddies…
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Bako- LMAO
I think you mean Kovi’s new caddies
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Wayne Simmonds in an essential part of our plan. His energy level is a driving force beghind the team’s success.
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“Moral makes up three quarters of the game; the balance of manpower accounts only for the remaining quarter.” -Napoleon
“Neither numbers nor strength of manpower bring victory in war, but whichever army goes into battle stronger in soul(moral). Their enemies generally cannot withstand them.”-Xenophon
Keeping everyone together was huge.
Winning streak, huge.
Simmonds and all the Kings confidence, huge.
Moral………
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Simmer is a bit of an anomaly. He has the build of a scorer, but fights like a much bigger man. That being said, it is still his skill and finess that always make me shake my head in disbelief. This guy has a HUGE upside, will be fun to watch him progress.
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Freudian Slip.
Kopi=Kovi
Dumb.
So far, Kovi can’t beat The Monster and Atlanta is trying to play defense. Funny.
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Kovi = First NJ assist
tor 0-1 NJ
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I know he doesn’t become an RFA until after next season. Still I hope we get him a contract extension as soon as we can. I really don’t want to be worrying about keeping him at this time next year.
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Ovie on a pp…
atl 1-1 WSH
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Always liked Simmonds, but what really made up my mind about him was when he was injured. Performance levels each game without him was noticable especially the energy on the forecheck seemed almost absent. And he continues to improve and show heart, drive and skill everytime he steps on the ice.
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Kris,
There’s plenty of time.No need to worry at all.Simmers is happy here and we don’t have to extend his contract till he’s close to UFA.
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Simmonds=King for life.
This guy should never be traded.
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According to ESPN the Kings are pursuing Whitney, but like has been said here and elsewhere, Whitney’s 3 yr contract wish isn’t flushing the john. He’s 37 and nobody will give him 3 yrs, but I guess dude’s gotta try.
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Wayne!!! You my NINJA FOO!!
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Wheezy is a bad ass! I love the way he plays; I especially love the way the way he stands up for his teammates!
WE LOVE YA SIMMERS!
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As for staying on topic, Simmer is kinda carrying and holding and shielding the puck like Fro.
Sorry, Simmer man crush for awhile now.
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Having to repaint all those bobbleheads white would have sucked.
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Kingsfanone,
I read it was 2 years.I think it’s like the Kovi speculation and we won’t kncw for sure till he signs with someone.
As far as Simmers,he’s exactly like the Fro,but with more speed.I actually liked those two together,and hope to see it when Willy comes back from injury.
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I like Simmonds… and the rest of our young stars. They all show heart. I just don’t buy into the idea of selling all that off for a guy who is known for scoring and who barely plays defense.
Its kind of hard to imagine the Kings would have had to trade the farm for Kovy, while the Devils traded a few low-key players and prospects (one who is already heavily disliked) to get him as a rental. Comparing Oduya, who most NJ fans don’t even care for, to our fan favorites like Brown and Simmonds, just makes it seem like the trade to LA was simply a tease. Signing him in the off season would be cool though.
Props to DL for not caving though, seriously, thanks be to the hockey gods.
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Just a thought, we have Justin Williams here on IR with nothing to do. DL maybe we should have Williams call Ray Whitney and let him know what a good thing we have going here. They were teammates on a cup winning team it may bridge the gap.
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WS is a beast! Hardest working guy on the team.
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Bako,
do you really want me to break out the calculator.
Kovi would have to have a career game for Gretzky.
JJ 4 points 1G 3A
WS 3 points 1G 2A
AF 2 points 2 A
It may have actually been more I am just going off what I remember last night.
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Detroit and Columbus(Ohio) have to stay in the West unless more western cities are added to the league or an eastern team or two move west. There are just a lot of teams in the league on the East coast (and further east than Detroit and Columbus).
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Simmer is the MAN!
I really don’t want to mess with the chemistry of this team, but if they can find a compliment to the Frolov/Zeus line, this team would have 3 top quality producing lines. Not sure if either Whittney, Torres or Kariya would work out there, with all three playing LW, but I could see that being a huge upgrade over Segal, not affecting overall chemistry and DL should be able to get any of them for non-roster assets.
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I think a florida team to Kansas would move Detroit to the Eastern conferance.
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I (like others, and on other fan sites also) consider Simmonds consider an untouchable now.
Heart. Grinder. Scorer. Hustle. Youth. Upside. Tough??
Check, check, check, check, check, check and check!!
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I can’t wait to get my Simmonds bobblehead
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So no one knows i take it?
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Space~
A top skater would work great with Fro/Zus. Let’s sign Ovechkin.
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Well…
All I know is that NJ ain’t winnin’ the Cup tonight, just yet:
tor 3-1 NJ, second period, 2:00 to go
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They booed the Devils off the ice after the second period.
Karma. It’s a !@#$%
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Mikus bows to Simmer!
Don’t ever change your game Simmer…You the man!
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Don’t remember what game it was, but a while back Sim’r came out to chat with Fox and PO after the game. I got all choked up at the cheers he got.
Good on you FANs to show luv for the Sim’r
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Devils won in a come from behind victory. Kovalchuk got 2 assists. Meh. Good job Toronto…
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MR:
Just got a close-up look at what it must be to be a Leafs fan. Give up two goals in the last minute, goalie completely collapses down the stretch…
WOW. Brutal loss. Led 3-1, with less than three minutes to play.
The Monster is a stiff. Period. Exclamation point!
I’m reminded why it’s so great to be a KINGS fan!
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Now, the game is phx/CHI…
phx 0-1 CHI, beginning of the second period
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LaBarbie is in goal, for phx…
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Hey Rich,
what are the chances that anyone knows your title is based on a Sally Field acceptance speach?
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Bako-
Yes, absolutely! Haha but if I remember a certain LA team of young studs pulled the same stint on the supposedly #1 goalie in the NHL a few games ago in New Jersey so… I suppose its retribution for the Devs. Glad we won’t have to play them anymore this season. =P
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you know what i like about lababera??? i love the fact that he’s not the kings problem anymore!!!
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MR–
Just looking at the face of Wilson coming off the ice tells me Leafs fans won’t be seeing much of the Monster from here on in…
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phx 1-1 CHI/second intermission
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Wayne Simmonds plays just like Phil Sykes used to many years ago for the Kings. When players like that step on the ice, things start happening just because of their urgency of play. They are an absolute joy to watch.
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Can you tell Lombardi and Frolov that a lot of us feel that Fro should stay as well?
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Simmonds was interviewd by phone on NHL live and clearly said he did not think a trade would have been wise, because it would have meesed up the chemistry.
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Simmonds is fun to watch. He’ll bulk up in a year or two and then watch how he’ll be able to stay on the puck.
Kings are going to be good for a good 5 years or more with how DL has set things up.
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Am a close personal friend of Wayne Simmonds, and wish to let the Kings fans know how lucky they are to have him. The young man is very focused and has a value system that makes me very proud. Treat him well, he will do the same for the Kings. I live in Eastern Canada but watch each and every Kings game. GO KINGS GO.
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Simmonds is one of the quintessential Kings.
Trade him & you’d have a fan rebellion.
Nothing to worry about though.
He ain’t goin’ nowhere.
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