Simmons was bread to be a shark. He would be terrifying on this team.

You don't trade Timo Meier for Simmonds just for one year. You must be sure and have a agreement with Simmonds to sign a multi years contract.

I like the idea of Simmons as a shark for sure. He plays the game the right way and is exactly the kind of vet Doug Wilson loves! And if he plays with anyone but pavelski, the sharks will have the best and second best net front tip-goal scorers in the league. That would instantly make all point shots extraordinarily dangerous.

The only issue is the price and the age. Simmonds is 30. That means any extension would start at age 31. No doubt he'll want good $$ and term, so any extension of 4+ years will carry significant risk, not to mention likely upwards of 6M+ (he's been consistently roughly 25-30 goals, 50-60 pts not to mention the intangibles).

Meier is not on the table unless it's a superstar coming back: that would be someone like Seguin, Panarin, or Karlsson. The second half for Meier last year showed that he could be a 30 goal scorer easily next year. He had 21, but 19 of those came from dec 4 onward. that's 19 goals in 57 games (27 goals per 82 games.) And that was with minimal PP time as 18 of his 21 were EV. No reason to think he can't go up from there with a regular PP shift, so you dont deal 22 year-old, likely 30 goal scorers for 31 year old players with the same production that will surely decline.

If any top 9 forward will move in a deal for someone not named seguin, panarin, or Karlsson, that person will almost surely be Kevin Labanc. Banker has good speed, quickness, and vision, and significant trade value, but a seemingly lower ceiling than a guy like Meier, Hertl or the like. He is not strong on the puck and does not play the cycle-possession style that hertl, kane, meier, couture and company do. I still really like him and would prefer he stay, but he is the only top 9 piece that I could see dougie dangle.

If the flyers tank (not too likely, but who knows), then maybe a package of picks and prospects could get him: 2020 1st+Norris+Roy? (basically 2 1sts and a 2nd rounder). He'd definitely fit the sharks identity.

I think you offer Simmons something like 6 mill over 2 years. You have Jumbo Joe coming off the books next year, so you know you can afford it. With San Jose being a smaller market and a Cali team, I really don't see much of the team. I actually didn't know anything about Meier! Sounds like moving him is a no no. But I am sure you could put a package together. If the Sharks weren't notorious for their size before, adding Wayne would make them one of the most visibly formidable groups out there.

Yeah, no doubt I’d love to add Simmons. He’s got great character, a powerhouse presence in front of the net and exactly the kind of vet that the GM loves. No question that dougie would be I tersfed if the flyers make him available.

I think it will be interesting to see how the year progresses, how the sharks Young’s guns develop and what teams surprisingly drop making certain players surprisingly available. If the flyers are in the POs, not likely Simmons will be on the block. Aside from a handful of teams, there are a bunch that could go either way, so the package will be largely based on circumstance. Right now, there is a good size group of to-be-ufas that will set the market. Panarin, karlsson, and Seguin at the top, then Patches, Simmons, skinner, eberle, lee, Nelson, Duchene, Hayes, Dzingel, Ferland, and a few others. Not as long a list on D, but still lots of guys likely to move on teams likely to stumble. Should be interesting...

What a time to follow Hockey man. Like seriously, the disparity and equality. The salary cap adds such a fun and interesting side to things. Hockey is all about thinking now and I love it. The transition to rookies over vets. Speed over grit. I could talk about this stuff all year. WHEN IS OCTOBER!?!?!?!