Sabres acquire Simmonds from New Jersey

The Buffalo Sabres have acquired forward Wayne Simmonds from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick in 2021.
Simmonds, 31, has tallied 24 points (8+16) while averaging 15:11 in 61 games with the Devils this season. He has five points (3+2) in his last eight games.

The Scarborough, Ontario native was selected by Philadelphia in the second-round pick of the 2007 NHL Draft. Simmonds has played 902 regular-season games over 12 seasons and 44 more in the playoffs. He's scored 20 or more goals six times, most recently in 2017-18.

What it means

The Sabres have won five of their last six games to cut their standings deficit to six points behind third-place Toronto. In Simmonds, they'll have another veteran to help them make a push.
Simmonds brings a physical edge and a willingness to play in front of the opposing net. He was a regular on the Devils' power-play, ranking third on the team in ice time with the extra man.
The winger's last two goals found him posting up in front of opposing goaltenders with the extra man and cleaning up rebounds in the blue paint:
Tweet from @NJDevils: The fountain of Wayne.#WeAreTheOnes | #DETvsNJD pic.twitter.com/5ZJWZT93dY
Tweet from @NJDevils: Good thing Simmer tapped this one in. We���re still up 2-1.#WeAreTheOnes | #WSHvsNJD pic.twitter.com/MeWOmmk0kM
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Simmonds has made his living around the crease at even strength, too.
Tweet from @NJDevils: wayne train has left the station.#wearetheones | #njdvswsh pic.twitter.com/CG8z5JmplD
Tweet from @NJDevils: The Wayne Train arrives right on time.#WeAreTheOnes | #DETvsNJD pic.twitter.com/UHPj9TTSly
Simmonds should also add a respected voice to the team's dressing room. He was an alternate captain during his time in Philadelphia and won the Mark Messier Award, presented to the player who "exemplifies great leadership qualities on and off the ice and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey," last season.