Seven Reasons Wayne Simmonds Re-Signed with the Maple Leafs

Clearly Wayne Simmonds loves playing with the Toronto Maple Leafs and wasn’t tempted to test free agency. During an interview two days ago, Simmonds explained why he was never really tempted to test the free agent market during the coming off-season. He noted that, given his and the organization’s mutual interest, he decided to stay put in Toronto.

In the interview below, Simmonds explains some of his own personal and team-oriented reasons he chose to stay. I, for one, found some of his answers enlightening for fans who wonder what goes through a player’s mind about whether they sign or don’t sign with a particular team.

Related: Zach Hyman and the Maple Leafs Still Far Apart on New Contract Terms

Simmonds Was Never Interested in Testing the Open Market

When Simmonds was asked directly whether he was interested in testing the open market, his answer was very simple. No! He was never tempted. Why was this the case?

Simmonds offers the following seven reasons:

Reason One: Simmonds Was a Good Fit with the Team

Simmonds believed he was a good fit with the team through last season and with the group of guys that was on the roster. He felt really connected with them and believed it was important for him to come back.

Reason Two: Simmonds Wanted to Be Somewhere Comfortable

Simmonds noted that he wanted to be somewhere where he could be comfortable after spending the last few seasons switching teams. Part of that reason was family. He noted that he had a young two-year old daughter and his wife was also from Toronto. To him as a family man, that quality of life mattered.

Reason Three: Simmonds Believes Toronto Offers the Best Chance to Win

Simmonds believed that Toronto offered him the best chance to be with a team that could win. For that reason, he felt that it was extremely important for him to stay with the squad.

Reason Four: Simmonds Admitted that There Was Unfinished Business

Like many team members, Simmonds believed that this team had unfinished business and noted that team members had expressed interest in getting back together for another run at the Stanley Cup. Although he spoke personally when he noted “I was just so disappointed,” he seemed to share the feelings of the remainder of the team as well. There was unfinished business. They thought they should have performed better than they did.

Reason Five: Simmonds Expressed Personal Disappointment in His Play

Simmonds was clear that, at the end, “I thought I could have done more to help you guys out to get further.” In fact, he wondered whether the organization even wanted him back. He was relieved that they did.

Reason Six: Simmonds Wanted to Be Wanted

To me, one of Simmonds’ most interesting answers to the question was this: “(It’s) just the way I am the person, I think negatively first so I didn’t really know if they would want me back” because “we didn’t get to our goal … to where we wanted.” However, Simmonds admitted that “once we started having discussions shortly after we were eliminated, we (realized we) had mutual interests again and hooking back up. He admitted that “that was extremely exciting for me.” Funny thing when a successful veteran player is still motivated by being valued and wanted.

Reason Seven: The Two-Year Contract Really Mattered

Simmonds ended the interview noting that “This is where I want to be. This is where I want to raise my family.” He also noted that Toronto was where he wanted to chase the Stanley Cup. Given those reasons, he thought “it was a no-brainer,” especially with two years on the table. The fact that the signing was for two years also really mattered to him as a player – it gave him geographical longevity.

Related: Maple Leafs Re-Sign Wayne Simmonds to Two-Year Deal [Report]

Finally

Simmonds ended the interview by saying that he was “extremely excited right now.” And noted, “I am happy to be back employed.”

Listening to the interview and reading between the lines, it offered me insight that Simmonds (and perhaps all NHL hockey players) simply want to be with a team they felt wanted them and was happy to be employed. It also reminded me that, although $900,000 seems like a bargain-basement NHL contract, in today’s USD to CAD rate it converts to 1,119,422.02.

Speaking for myself, I could live on that salary.