Simmonds, on his rookie season
If there's a surprise player of the year, it's definitely Wayne Simmonds. Twelve months ago, I wouldn't have bet a nickel on the chance of Simmonds making the Kings and playing 82 games this season, but he did, and he did it quite capably. By all accounts, Simmonds was a model player, eager to soak up information on and off the ice, and he still has the ability to improve quite a bit more. Here's what Simmonds said about his rookie season...
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Question: Does it feel like you've played an entire year in the NHL?
SIMMONDS: (laughs) ``Yeah, it does.''
Question: Physically, it probably does...
SIMMONDS: ``Yeah, physically it does, but I enjoyed myself this year. I learned a lot and I had a lot of fun. I look forward to next year and being able to do a lot more.''
Question: I get a lot of feedback from fans, and they have really enjoyed your play this year. Did you even exceed your own expectations for how this season might go for you?
SIMMONDS: ``Yeah, definitely. I didn't know what my role would be on this team coming into the season, so I think that I have exceeded my expectations. I'm happy with it, and it's exciting to know that I could come in and play a major role on this team. I look forward to next year, and building off of that and having more success.''
Question: I guess those expectations will be even higher next season...
SIMMONDS: ``Exactly. I know expectations are going to be higher now, and I have to fulfill that. I will have high expectations for myself, so we'll see what happens next year. Hopefully it will be real good.''
Question: Anything in particular that you'll focus on over the summer?
SIMMONDS: ``Bulking up, for sure. That's definitely my main focus. I've got to get a lot bigger, so I'll be in the gym a lot this summer.''
Question: There's a right way to do that though, right?
SIMMONDS: ``Yeah, exactly. You've got to eat healthy food and make sure it's muscle, rather than fat. You've just got to be smart about it. If you get a little bit of muscle, as opposed to a lot of fat, that's better than the fat.''
Question: You don't want to take away your speed either...
SIMMONDS: ``Exactly. You just want to get stronger.''
Question: Any good summer plans? Going home for a while?
SIMMONDS: ``Yeah, I plan to go home and see my family for a while. I'll take a short break and then get back at it.''
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Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
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.
luv ya', simmer...and thanks for a great rookie season...
i hope he can turn out to be a deadmarsh-type of player sans injuries...
Hey Rich,
Can you ask Simmer if he is a blood doner...if so, start donating to your team mates. This guy is the only King that showed night in and night out that he loves to play hockey.
If not a doner, then start donating. We need another 3-4 Simmers on this team.
Great season Simmer, dont care if you never get more than 12+ goals a year, you are solid like a rock on your responsibilites and fun to watch. We have our Mike Grier!!!
No slump for this kid-too much heart.
I think calling him Mike Grier is just a step. I could see him being as good as Iginla if he wants to be. Many may disagree, but many said he wouldn't make the team this year either.
Sky's the limit for Simmer. I agree with the blood donor comment. I was thinking more of like a cloning machine. A whole 3rd line of Simmer forwards. That'd be FUN to watch.
Wayne...Nice job this year! Thanks for showing people how hockey SHOULD be played in LA. We've been waiting a LONG time here for guys like you. Keep going! You are going to do GREAT things in this league with your work ethic and humble attitude. Keep setting the example! Thanks Sims!
p.s. simmer just had another point...thats 4 in 4 games...and fro just scored again...he needs to be extended!
What happened to our Kings??? They are playing like monsters. Is it the threat of summer vacation? Wow, if we could put this together and play with the heart they are showing tonight...sky is the limit. Williams has some serious jump tonight and Simmer and Brownie are laying the wood!!
Hope someone smacks Blake real good!!!
Unless Drewiske has a meltdown in training camp, he has made the team. Does this make JJ (contract dependent) or Hickey tradable? Boyle is also looking like he should get a 2 year/2 way offer at 1 mil.
Gauthier definitely should NOT be back. I'm starting to think he has some kind of psychological issue where he can't make a pass unless it's REALLY dangerous!
Love this guy. Seems to have a real unorthodox style of play...had me thinking many times 'wow, what the hell was that?' I think Simmonds is going to be a real force in this league, one of the things I'm looking forward to for next year is to see his improvement.
Simmonds, you were one of my favorites this year. You've got a great shot, and your points total would be (to my memory) at least 3 goals higher, because you got robbed a few times this year. You've got some serious rockets on you when you need them. You play with unbridled enthusiasm and effort, on a team where some of the better players maybe weren't. And you're not afraid to scrap (I loved seeing you murder Pacioretty in that game you guys DESERVED, and got robbed by some crap calls). Definitely looking forward to seeing you blossom next season, sir.