The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a captaincy change. The Hockey News breaks down why Auston Matthews will become the 26th captain in franchise history. Wayne Simmonds is continuing to keep himself busy. The former Toronto Maple Leafs forward is joining the Philadelphia Flyers as a Community Relations Ambassador and Hockey Operations Consultant, the team announced on Friday. Simmonds spent 15 seasons in the NHL where he played in 1,037 games where he collected 263 goals and 263 assists. He spent more than half of his time with the Flyers. During that time he was an NHL All-Star in 2017 where he won MVP. He also won the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award in 2019. Known as the 'Wayne Train', the Toronto native joined his hometown team in 2020. He had 12 goals and 15 assists in 128 games with the Leafs. He announced his retirement in March. In addition to his new role with Philadelphia, Simmonds is part of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, a group founded by former NHL players to drive positive change by addressing systemic issues and promoting a more equitable and diverse sport. Simmonds also did some work for TSN in March as part of their trade deadline coverage in March. Simmonds last played in the NHL on April 8, 2023, suiting up for the Maple Leafs against the Montreal Canadiens. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl4tyOS0gdI[/embed] Related ‘(He) Has A Good Chance To Be That Goalie For That Organization That They’ve Needed’: Panthers' Sam Reinhart Has High Expectations for Maple Leafs Goaltender Anthony Stolarz in Toronto [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/he-has-a-good-chance-to-be-that-goalie-for-that-organization-that-theyve-needed-panthers-sam-reinhart-has-high-expectations-for-maple-leafs-goaltender-anthony-stolarz-in-toronto] ‘He Wants To Play’: Former Maple Leafs Star Phil Kessel Reportedly Calling NHL Teams Looking to Extend NHL Career [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/he-wants-to-play-former-maple-leafs-star-phil-kessel-reportedly-calling-nhl-teams-looking-to-extend-nhl-career] 'S*** Happens': Maple Leafs Prospect Ty Voit Eager to Show What He Was 'Supposed to Show' Last Year with Marlies [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/s-happens-maple-leafs-prospect-ty-voit-eager-to-show-what-he-was-supposed-to-show-last-year-with-marlies] News from THN.com What Sharks' Macklin Celebrini Gains From Living With 'One Of The Best Players To Ever Play' [https://thehockeynews.com/news/what-sharks-macklin-celebrini-gains-from-living-with-one-of-the-best-players-to-ever-play] NHL's Top Issues Facing Vancouver Canucks: The Next Step, Thatcher Demko and Elias Pettersson [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhls-top-issues-facing-vancouver-canucks-the-next-step-thatcher-demko-and-elias-pettersson] Eight More NHL Goalies with New Creative Masks Ahead of the 2024-25 Season [https://thehockeynews.com/news/eight-more-nhl-goalies-with-new-creative-masks-ahead-of-the-2024-25-season]
