More than two years after being traded out of LA, Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds makes his return to MayorsManor via the following chat from earlier today…
On some people still talking about the Carter and Richards trades – and if it’s safe to assume he doesn’t get questions about his time with the Kings from the Philadelphia media:
“No. Honestly, I don’t get that too much anymore. I don’t know why people are so fixated about it. Hockey’s a business, like I said. Pieces get moved around. It’s like a puzzle, trying to figure out the teams. The GM’s are trying to figure out the best way to win the cup, so things happen. You can’t be bitter about it.”
On his comment on HBO’s 24/7 about Philadelphia being a great hockey town and how some LA fans were riled up over it:
“I don’t know why they were butthurt over it. Like I said, I think that from when I came here six years ago, to where Philly was when I got to Philly. We didn’t even used to sell out my first year here in L.A. Even when we’re losing in Philly, we’re sold out, no matter what. Whether they come to boo you or they come to cheer you, they’re there. They’re there all the time, right? So I think Philly’s an awesome sports town, in general, to have all four major sports teams. It’s unbelievable for sports there.”
On what kind of chirping Doughty was doing after the Kings won the Cup:
“Not much, at all. He’s not going to chirp me. Me and Doughts are best friends. What’s he going to say to me? I congratulated him and that was it. I actually went to his Cup party.”
Mayor: He chirps Logan (Couture) all the time, though:
“That’s fine. He can chirp Logan. I lived with Doughts for three years. He’s not going to chirp me that he won the Cup and I didn’t win the Cup. That’s not how our relationship is.”
On if the Kings’ recent scoring drought surprises him, as an outsider looking in:
“It seems like that happens every year to them, but they find a way to dig themselves out of the hole. I think that the Kings are probably built for the playoffs, the way that their team’s structured. They’re a big-bodied team, physical. They get it in hard on the forecheck. They’ll find a way to dig themselves out.”
On what the type of player that Scott Hartnell is and what he’s meant to him:
“Obviously, I came to Philadelphia trying to emulate Hartsy. He’s done everything in his career that I strive to do. He’s a great net front presence. He’s got a great shot. He goes to the net hard. He battles his butt off every game. That’s obviously something that I’ve watched, playing in L.A. and then going to Philly and seeing it firsthand. I just try to keep going.”
On Ian Laperriere joining the team as an assistant coach:
“Lappy’s awesome. He’s always got chatter. He’s positive all the time. Obviously, he lets you know if you’re doing something wrong, but he’ll let you know in a positive way. It’s been awesome having him as an assistant coach.”
On being back in familiar surroundings…..
Everything still looks the same. Talked to some of the trainers (Los Angeles Kings) this morning. It‘s nice to talk to some guys I haven’t seen in a while. It’s nice to be back.
Despite being 2 ½ years since the trade is it tough to play against the Kings?
Not really, it’s fine. Different conference. Last year we only played east teams with the way the schedule was. It will be a great time playing again at Staples Center.
Do you feel you have grown as a player?
Definitely! I’ve said it before. I was cast in a different role before (in LA) and the Flyers have given me an opportunity to play a different role and I have tried to run with it.
On what he expects from the Kings…..
The Kings are a big physical team, just like Anaheim. A lot of big bodies and goal scorers who can score on any given night. We just need to worry about ourselves and focus on what we have to do to win on Saturday afternoon.
Have you had a chance to catch up with any of your former teammates?
I will probably see some of the guys today, give them a ring and let them know I am in town. If not, I will just see them tomorrow. I’m a good buddy with a lot of guys on the team obviously. I don’t think that is ever going to change. I spent the first three years of my career hear. I love it in LA. It’s nice coming back for sure.
Were you surprised when you got the call that you had been traded to Philadelphia?
It was actually a big surprise for me. I was at my uncle’s cottage in PEI when I got the phone call. I was shocked but hockey is a business and pieces get moved around you can’t be bitter. Philadelphia wanted me and I am happy to be a Philadelphia Flyer. They have given me the opportunity to grow as a player and I am thankful.
Have you put together a list of “chirps” for your former roommate, Drew Doughty?
I probably have the most ammunition on that guy than anyone else in the world. I will save it for the ice. I’ll say some things. We are pretty tight. We spend our summers just two hours away from each other. I probably see him every other weekend. I have a lot on that guy (Doughty).
Have you stepped up in quality of roommates now that you are in Philadelphia?
I actually live by myself now. I’ve grown up (teammate yells bullsh##$t) in the last few years. I’m on my own now.
One of your fondest memories from playing in Los Angeles:
I think playing my first NHL game. Putting on the Kings jersey, playing against San Jose. It was unbelievable. I am grateful to the Kings organization for allowing me to get my foot in the door.
On having to go through the “Bermuda Triangle” (California teams)……
When you come to Cali no matter which team you play, you know you are in for a battle. It’s nice to see hockey grow here from the days when I first came to Los Angeles. Like I said, you come into anyone of these buildings and it is not going to be easy.
Must be nice to get out of the frigid temperatures of the Northeast and get to some better weather in California?
It’s pretty frigid in the Northeast. You come down here to California and the weather is nice. We are staying at the beach in Santa Monica. It was great waking up Friday morning and go for a walk on the boardwalk. That is something I definitely miss about playing in Los Angeles.
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