Fansided

Each NHL team’s biggest burning question in 2018

By Simon Vacca

EDMONTON, AB - OCTOBER 23: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers lines up for a face off against Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 23, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB - OCTOBER 23: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers lines up for a face off against Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 23, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 22: Wayne Simmonds #17 and Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers stand on the blue line before the National Anthem prior to their game against the Colorado Avalanche on October 22, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 22: Wayne Simmonds #17 and Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers stand on the blue line before the National Anthem prior to their game against the Colorado Avalanche on October 22, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Philadelphia Flyers: Will the acquisition of James van Riemsdyk spell the end of the Wayne Simmonds era?

It’s easy to forget about just how depth-ridden the Philadelphia Flyers are. While the club’s goaltending remains fairly questionable, the rest of its lineup entails quite an array of the sport’s more intimidating pieces. Sean Couturier is one of hockey’s best two-way players, Jakub Voracek is an incredibly gifted passer, Claude Giroux is coming off a career year, Shayne Gostisbehere is nearing closer to the moment in which he emerges as a Norris contender and Nolan Patrick is one of the best up and coming stars in the game.

This past summer, GM Ron Hextall sent the NHL a message by acquiring the Toronto Maple Leafs’ leading goal-scorer, James van Riemsdyk: the Flyers have, at their disposal, an offensive piece that should allow them to seriously contend for the Stanley Cup.

JVR, 29, is an interestingly puzzling player to watch. Arguably the best net-front presence on the planet, the winger is nothing short of a monster on the power play who can bring a measure of success to practically any team — albeit under the premise that he can and should be utilized in a sheltered role. He played the first three years of his NHL career in Philadelphia, during which he tallied 47 goals and 99 points, and even participated in the team’s 2010 run to the Stanley Cup Finals.

That the Flyers have opted to reward van Riemsdyk with a five-year, $35 million contract is a sure window into Hextall’s broader plan, but the move ultimately raises further questions about the future of one of the team’s most prominent wingers — Wayne Simmonds. Much like JVR, Simmonds adds some valuable net-front presence, and combines this skill with formidable size and grit.

The only problem, then, is one of tactics. Does the acquisition of JVR reasonably spell the end of Simmonds’ tenure with the Flyers?

It’s a question that will continue to run rampant until a decision is made — especially in light of the diverse network of opinions that promise to envelop discussions of the matter. Van Riemsdyk and Simmonds play a similar game, with the former offering consistency and the latter offering a more noteworthy two-way presence. But with an uncomfortable penchant for injury in recent years serving as the primary talking point in discussions of the player, expect the Simmonds rumor mill to operate in full swing as the season advances.

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