With uncertainty about Micheal Ferland's health, there is a good chance that the Vancouver Canucks will be pursuing a new power forward at the trade deadline, and it appears that New Jersey Devils forward Wayne Simmonds is at the top of their list.
TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun revealed, in his latest article for the Athletic, that the Canucks have internally discussed the idea of acquiring Simmonds either at or before the trade deadline.
"Plan A, of course, is the hopeful news that Micheal Ferland is on his way back and will be a contributing member to the Vancouver Canucks' stretch run and playoff drive. Plan B, potentially, is a phone call to the New Jersey Devils regarding the availability of Wayne Simmonds, as I mentioned on TSN's Insider Trading on Thursday night," LeBrun wrote.
Ferland has only played in 14 games this season, he's spent most of the season dealing with concussion-like symptoms. He's expected to play in some AHL games with the Utica Comets soon.
According to LeBrun, the Canucks heavily targeted Simmonds over the summer, but as we know, he ended up signing with the Devils on July 1.
"It just so happens that the Canucks tried on Simmonds last summer, but he opted to sign in the Metropolitan Division where he's spent most of his career. I'm told Vancouver tried rather intently on Simmonds last July."
LeBrun also added that New Jersey hasn't totally committed to trading Simmonds, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
"It should be noted, interim Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald hasn't totally committed to trading Simmonds, a pending UFA. As one source described it Thursday, that's still a decision that is in limbo. Simmonds is so respected in the Devils dressing room and his leadership impact so real that it's not out of the question New Jersey wants to keep him around."
"It will probably depend as well on the kind of offers the Devils get for him," LeBrun added.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are another team that could be interested in Simmonds, according to LeBrun.
"Another team that I think would entertain the idea of maybe reaching out to New Jersey on Simmonds is Pittsburgh. They could face a gritty, first-round series with the Blue Jackets or the Islanders and if they can get through them, perhaps a dazzling second-round matchup with a skilled and physically imposing Capitals squad. The idea of being able to keep Tom Wilson a little more honest in a playoff series with Simmonds in your lineup isn't the dumbest thing in the world if you're Pittsburgh."
Simmonds is a player that every team would love to have—especially in the playoffs. It won't come as a big surprise if more teams start to show interest in him between now and the trade deadline, which takes place on Feb. 24.
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