It’s no secret that the man they call “The Wayne Train” has a good chance to be moved before the trade deadline. What playoff contender wouldn’t want a guy like Wayne Simmonds? He’s a leader, a pest when it comes to net-front presence and oh yeah, he can chip in a goal every now and then. But as of right now, despite the trade rumors, Simmer is focused on the Orange and Black.
As you all know, the Flyers have been red-hot of late. They’ve gone 10-1-1 in their last 11 games and now sit only six points back of a playoff spot. If someone had mentioned playoffs about a month ago, people would have laughed. Now, it’s a completely different story. Everything seems to be going the Flyers way of late. Whether they be down a goal late or forced into overtime, they somehow manage to come off the ice with a win. Simmonds, who is in the middle of his eighth season with the Orange and Black, attributes the teams recent success to confidence.
“Yeah, ya know I think confidence is a big thing. Once you get confidence it makes the game a lot easier. I think from a team perspective, Coach Gordo, we’ve changed a few things, a few systems. Everything’s been working out for the best and the way we’ve come and fed off that, it’s allowed us to get these points”.
He also talked about the play of Carter Hart, when it came to talking about confidence and how he’s helped the Flyers get back into the swing of things of late.
“He’s been unbelievable. What does he have? I think seven wins in a row right now. I think he’s just so calm, cool, and collected”, said Simmonds following last Wednesday’s practice.
Despite only recording three points over the past ten games (1G,2A), Simmonds play of late has no doubt improved. The 6’2″ RW is a big believer in just “sticking with it”, and despite the lack of productivity lately, believes that things will eventually start going his way. Lately, puck luck hasn’t been on his side.
“You just got to keep going. It’s a long year; you got 82 games. You’re going to go through ups and downs, and all those guys who don’t go through the ups and downs, those are the guys who score 60 goals a year right? Not everyone’s that good so you just got to stick with it, keep battling, work as hard as you can, and try not to change the things that work for you” said Simmonds when talking about what’s attributed to his play of late”.
So despite the criticism that the 30-year-old has received over the past few months, Simmer continues to make sure he remains confident and just continues to stick with it. Whatever happens, happens. Wayne Simmonds knows that better than anybody. For right now though, all Wayne Simmonds wants to do is continue to help this team thrive. What’s the best way he can do that you ask? Make sure he remains confident and doesn’t mess with the way he plays too much.
The Flyers are back in action Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center as the host the Detroit Red Wings in the first game of a home and home between these two teams. Puck Drop is at 1PM.
As always, Lets Go Flyers!!
Photo credit: Alex Mclntyre
