Prospect evaluation: Simmonds

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Wayne Simmonds
Forward
DOB - 8-26-88
Stats:
Owen Sound (OHL)
- Regular season: 17 goals, 22 assists (39 points), 43 PIM
Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
- Reg season: 16 goals, 20 assists (36 points), 68 PIM
- Post season: 5 goals, 9 assists (14 points), 32 PIM

Reporter Ben Leeson from The Sault Star on Simmonds:

"Simmonds is a tough player to contain because of his speed, strength and reach. He seems to maximize all three when he gets a little fierce and battles hard to get into scoring position and pursue rebounds. His wrist shot is hard and accurate and he uses it well even when driving off the wing under pressure from defenders. He's strong on the puck and smart away from it. He excels when he has a centre who knows how to find him. His conditioning is superb. He never seems to tire much."
"Wayne has an NHL frame, but at 175 pounds he could stand to pack on weight if he wants to make the most of it. Sometimes he needs to just let a shot go instead of looking for the nice play. He should be ready for the pro game next year. If he develops at the same rate he has been, I could see him becoming a 20- or 25-goal man at the NHL level."

4 Comments

Irish Pat said:

Nice video.

During the fight it looked as if Simmonds actually picks up the other player to keep him from falling just so he can land a few more blows.

Good stuff Rich. Thanks.

Jim said:

The team could definitely use his grit and toughness next year. I hope he really impresses in camp and earns a spot on the 3rd line

Anonymous said:

Lets hope he does not become a problamatic team mate like Avery. But His skill and grit look impresive. He could become a solid third liner.
Roger

Anonymous said:

Enjoy his love for the game, like to see throw some lefts, it should help him the pro game

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About the bloggers

J.P. Hoornstra writes about NHL and IHL hockey for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. He welcomes any and all dialogue on the finer points of hockey. E-mail J.P. at jp.hoornstra
@inlandnewspapers.com
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Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews
.com
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Vincent Bonsignore is a sports columnist for the Los Angeles Daily News. E-mail Vinny at vincent.bonsignore
@dailynews.com
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About this Entry

This page contains a single entry by Rich Hammond published on May 6, 2008 11:45 AM.

Prospect evaluation: Rowat was the previous entry in this blog.

Prospect evaluation: Zatkoff is the next entry in this blog.

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Anonymous on Prospect evaluation: Simmonds: Enjoy his love for the game, like to see throw some lefts, it should h ...

Anonymous on Prospect evaluation: Simmonds: Lets hope he does not become a problamatic team mate like Avery. But H ...

Jim on Prospect evaluation: Simmonds: The team could definitely use his grit and toughness next year. I hope ...

Irish Pat on Prospect evaluation: Simmonds: Nice video. During the fight it looked as if Simmonds actually picks ...

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