Wayne Simmonds signs one-year deal with Maple Leafs

Wayne Simmonds is headed home after signing a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Wayne Simmonds signs one-year deal with hometown Maple Leafs

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 10/9/20

Scarborough, Ontario native Wayne Simmonds is returning home.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed the winger to a one-year, $1.5 million contract after a short stint with the Buffalo Sabres.

Wayne Simmonds is coming home!

We’ve signed @Simmonds17 to a one-year contract. #LeafsForever

Details: https://t.co/QBhgKpokuV pic.twitter.com/Z4CdNEhTvN
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 9, 2020

The 32-year-old plays a powerful, physical game and will bring a little bit of grit to the Maple Leafs lineup, which is something general manager Kyle Dubas has been searching for in order to make his club tougher to play against.

Simmonds' best seasons came with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2011-2018. He regularly hit the 40-point mark and twice reached 60 points with two 30-plus goal seasons.

A short stint with the Nashville Predators followed by a one-year deal with the New Jersey Devils saw him traded at the deadline once again this past season to the Sabres. In 68 games this past season, Simmonds tallied eight goals and 17 assists for 25 points.

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