Flyers Trade Franchise Cornerstone Wayne Simmonds To Nashville

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Flyers traded longtime franchise cornerstone Wayne Simmonds to the Nashville Predators on Monday, finally bringing an end to months of speculation regarding the winger's future and the Flyers' goals for the remainder of the season.

The Predators, who sit in second place in the Western Conference's Central Division and are all but guarenteed a playoff spot, will send back forward Ryan Hartman and a fourth round draft pick to the Flyers. The Sports Network's Bob McKenzie was the first to confirm the deal.

Simmonds, 30, is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. During the "Wayne Train's" eight year tenure in Philadelphia, he became one of the faces of the franchise, earning an All Star game nod in 2017 (where he won MVP) and winning the love and respect of Philadelphia fans for his tenacious play.

He was named an alternate captain for the Flyers before the 2014-15 season.

Though he's probably exiting his prime and has seen a slight decline over the past year and half, Simmonds has been one of the game's most formidable and consistent forces for the past decade. He appeared in 75 games or more in all but one season, and scored between 28 and 32 goals every year save one injury shortened season between 2011-12 and 2016-17.

Simmonds' longtime teammate and fellow franchise player for the past several years, Jakob Voracek, honored Simmonds after what would be his last game in a Flyers uniform: the epic come from behind win over the Penguins during the Stadium Series at Lincoln Financial Field Saturday night.

"We don't know what's gonna happen Monday," Voracek said in the locker room after the game, during a helmet hand-off ceremony where the team recognizes a player who made a big impact. "But I gotta give it to one of my best friends...he deserves it for the eight years he's been here. Simmy, whatever happens, we love you."

Though a handful of smaller moves have been made, the Simmonds trade is the most notable move made by new general manager Chuck Fletcher, who took over after Ron Hextall was fired after the team's miserable start to the season.

Despite the Flyers' emotional win over the Penguins and their recent torrid winning streak, they remain seven points behind the Carolina Hurricanes for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Trading Simmonds doesn't mean the team is giving up on their outside shot of making the postseason this year, but it is an acknowledgement that the front office is keeping an eye on the future first.

The Flyers are back in action Tuesday night at home against the Buffalo Sabres.