Wayne Simmonds: The MVP the NHL needed

Over the past decade or so most Allstar games for professional sports have been somewhat of a flop. They never get the ratings that they hope for. This has been something the NHL has been trying to fix in the past couple years. The biggest change being the decison to change the format to a 3v3(the same way that overtime is played during the regular season).

Last year was the first year of the “new” Allstar era. The NHL let it be up to the fans to vote who the captian of each team would be. There is a team for each division, which means four players are fan voted in as automatic captains. Last year the pacfic divsion had an unikely captain in John Scott. If you aren't familiar with Mr. Scott, he was a tough guy that made a carrer as a bruiser and a fighter. He played for muliple teams throughout his career. Not only was John Scott an allstar, he scored two goals and was named the NHL AllStar MVP. It was great to see some enfocers get some recognition, especially in a time where that style of play is disappearing.

This year the lone Philadelphia Flyer selected to the Allstar game. Something made this Allstar game even more important to SImmonds was the fact it was in Los Angeles. The Kings traded Simmonds to the Flyers in 2011. Nothing better than making your first Allstar game in the city that traded you, oh and being the MVP is pretty cool as well. At the time of the Allstar break Simmonds stats were 21 goals, 17 assist, and 76 penalty minutes.

Simmonds has been bringing back the roots of Flyers hockey. Being able to score goals, win games, and isnt afraid to drop the gloves when needed. During the 2017 Allstar game Simmonds put up 3 goals in the two games played. He scored the game winning goal in the final game against the Pacific divsion with just under five minutes left in the final period.

Simmonds is just 28 years old meaning he is just hitting his prime. I’m fairly confident this will not be his last Allstar apperance. Now that he has a NHL Allstar MVP title under his belt the next thing he should be aiming towards is a Stanley Cup MVP.