Former Devil Wayne Simmonds Announces Retirement from NHL
Simmonds appeared in 61 games for the Devils during the 2019-20 season.
Dec 13, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Wayne Simmonds (17) warms up before a game against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports - Former Devil Wayne Simmonds Announces Retirement from NHLOn Monday morning, former New Jersey Devils forward Wayne Simmonds announced his retirement from the NHL at 35.
The Scarborough, Ontario, native signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Devils on July 1, 2019. He appeared in 61 games with New Jersey and finished his tenure with 24 points (eight goals and 16 assists).
Simmonds made his Prudential Center debut on the same night as Jack Hughes and P.K. Subban. In November 2019, he scored his first goal as a Devil against the Philadelphia Flyers, which Hughes assisted on.
After Simmonds was acquired, ex- Devils captain Bryce Salvador spoke about how the gritty winger could be beneficial for young Hughes.
"Adding a guy like Wayne Simmonds is going to help create some room for (Hughes) out there," Salvador said. "That was a key acquisition by (general manager) Ray Shero, by adding Simmonds because it's going to allow (Hughes) to be more comfortable."
Hughes spent some of his rookie campaign on a line with Simmonds and Jesper Boqvist. Simmonds was on the ice when Hughes scored his first career NHL goal, and the winger and first-overall pick assisted on Boqvist's first goal in the NHL against Kaapo Kahkonen.
Simmonds also dropped the gloves and defended Hughes when necessary. He was widely considered Hughes's on-ice protector before he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a conditional fifth-round selection in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, which New Jersey later used to draft Topias Vilén.
The Philadelphia Flyers will sign Simmonds to a one-day contract and honor his career on Saturday, April 13, when the Flyers host the Devils at Wells Fargo Center.