Simmonds putting health ahead of contract discussions with Flyers

TORONTO -- Wayne Simmonds has had initial discussions with the Philadelphia Flyers regarding a contract extension, but said that his focus is on returning to full health after a season filled with injuries.

"I think they've had preliminary talks but it is what it is at this point," Simmonds said at BioSteel Camp on Wednesday. "I've got to get healthy first and foremost and show that I'm the player that I was two years ago. For being injured I don't think I had a bad season last year but it's still not to the best of my ability. When we continue to talk, we continue to talk; it is what it is right now."
Simmonds is entering the final season of a six-year, $23.82 million contract ($3.97 million average annual value) he signed Aug. 16, 2012, and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. He has been eligible to sign an extension since July 1.
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Last season Simmonds had 46 points (24 goals, 22 assists) in 75 games despite playing all season with a torn pelvis sustained before training camp. During the season he also had a groin muscle pull, lost six teeth after being hit in the mouth by a stick, broke a bone in his ankle and tore ligaments in his thumb. The only games he missed were after the thumb injury, sustained Feb. 18.
Simmonds had surgery during the offseason to repair the pelvis injury and said he intends to be ready once training camp begins.
"I'm good," he said. "I'm working toward becoming 100 percent. That's the goal here. I want to be at my best by the time the season starts. I've already had all my surgeries, all my stuff. I'm healed up and ready to go. It's just working on getting my legs back on the ice and things of that nature."
Simmonds, who turned 30 on Sunday, scored an NHL career-high 32 goals in 2015-16 and had 31 the following season. He admitted the multitude of injuries he went through last season prevented him from playing at the level he expected of himself but feels he is ready to get back to that form.
"I just want to be healthy and contribute to the team," he said. "I'm going to come in and work hard and you're going to see what you usually see from me which was obviously not last year. I don't think I had my best year," Simmonds said. "But I'm going to get better, I'm going to be healthy and things are going to be good."

He said playing out the final season of his contract will not be an issue for him.
"I don't think it's going to change much for me," Simmonds said. "I'm going to be the same player I always am so it's not going to have much bearing."
After missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2016-17, the Flyers lost in six games against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference First Round last season. Philadelphia signed unrestricted free agent forward James van Riemsdyk to a five-year contract July 1, and with the rest of the core returning intact this season, Simmonds feels the Flyers are in a good position to improve this season.
"I think we've got a good young squad and I think we're coming together well," he said. "We just signed [van Riemsdyk] and that will allow us to do different things with the lineup. He's a great player, he does a lot of great things and he's probably got one of the best sets of hands in front of the net. He's a welcomed addition to our team."