Maple Leafs Dealt Massive Blow

When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Wayne Simmonds to a one-year deal at $1.5 million, it was considered a home run. The early implications have been nothing but positive as Simmonds has fit right in on his hometown team and had made his way up to the second-line on Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks. 

Well, unfortunately for Simmonds and for the Leafs, the injury bug has taken a huge chomp out of the team as Simmonds will be out six weeks with a hand injury.  

Not liking what I’m hearing on Wayne Simmonds. Could be six weeks...just brutal, was having such a strong season in return home.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 7, 2021

Brutal news for the 32-year-old who was feeling as healthy as he's ever felt and was having such a strong season. His five goals rank him 3rd on the Leafs only behind Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, who is leading the league with 10.

The Leafs currently sit first in the entire NHL with 19 points and will have to wait and see who can fill Simmonds spot on the team's second line. The Leafs are already without Joe Thornton and Nick Robertson. 

Perhaps we see the team pull the trigger on a rumored deal with the Flames to acquire Sam Bennett. The team will need to find some toughness while Simmonds is gone. That's certainly one option.

Photo credit:  Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire