Flyers could be looking to bring back a familiar face on a PTO

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Mike Armenti
September 5, 2023 (10:24)

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Once the 2022-23 season had ended, with the Vegas Golden Knights being crowned Stanley Cup champions, the focus in Toronto quickly shifted to what the roster might look like once free agency opened up. We now know that a number of players, such as Ryan O'Reilly, Luke Schenn, Michael Bunting, Justin Holl and Alexander Kerfoot all signed elsewhere, while the Leafs replaced them with the likes of Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, Ryan Reaves, John Klingberg and Simon Benoit.

With the Leafs' roster beginning to take shape, it's becoming abundantly clear that there may no longer be a spot available for Wayne Simmonds, with Reaves playing a very similar role. According to Jamey Baskow from a credentialed Flyers blog, however, Simmonds may be open to returning to his former team, the Philadelphia Flyers, on a professional tryout during training camp.

Simmonds, coming into his 35-year-old season, is not the player that he once was. He didn't play much for the Leafs last season, getting into just 18 games, most often as a 4th liner with limited minutes and largely spent his time in the press box. However, on a rebuilding team like the Flyers, Simmonds may be able to create some competition in training camp and even help some of the younger players learn the ropes both in Philly and in the NHL.

Simmonds played for the Flyers during his prime, when he was more than just the feared fighter he is today. From 2011 to 2018, Simmonds was an extremely effective power forward for the Flyers, peaking with a 32-goal, 60-point season in 2015-16.

This will be one storyline to watch as we inch closer to training camp.