Besides selecting Jack Hughes as the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL Draft, the New Jersey Devils are dominating the offseason to assure their success in the upcoming season.
The Devils signed rugged forward Wayne Simmonds to a one-year $5 million contract. The 30-year-old Canadian is coming off a six-year, $23.85 million contract he signed with the Flyers before he was traded to the Nashville Predators at the deadline. He managed to play in only two playoff games with the Predators before suffering a lower-body injury against the Dallas Stars.
This move comes after GM Ray Shero made a huge trade by acquiring Simmonds’ Predators teammate P.K. Subban at the NHL Draft.
Simmonds, a two-time 30-goal scorer, had a down season in 2018-19, putting up 17 goals and 13 assists in 79 games — his lowest full-season total since 2010-11 with the Kings. He posted just three points in 17 regular-season games with Nashville after the trade.
This long-time veteran could be an essential asset to Hughes and the other young Devils as an enforcer. He was also recognized for his superior leadership during the 2018-19 season with the Messier Leadership Award.