Simmonds impact 1, Habs 0
Newest Maple Leaf makes his presence felt in season opener
TORONTO — Wayne Simmonds didn't like what he was seeing.
With the Maple Leafs trailing the Montreal Canadiens in the second period on Wednesday, Simmonds took the 2020-21 regular season opener into his own hands.
Simmonds, added by the Leafs in the off-season to add a physical element that sorely was needed, dropped Canadiens defenceman Ben Chiarot in a quick fight, boosting the club's morale and starting a rally that eventually led to a 5-4 overtime win at Scotiabank Arena.
“It felt good,” Simmonds said. “I thought the boys needed a little bit of spark there. I know my role on this team. I asked Chiarot and I didn't think he wanted to go at first, but he dropped the gloves before me, so it was green-light go.
“It helped turn the tide for our team.”
The Leafs were trailing 3-1 when Simmonds fought. By the end of the second period, it was 3-3. The Leafs need Simmonds' attitude to bleed a bit through the roster.
“It pretty much changed the whole game once that all went down,” Joe Thornton said. “It got the guys' attention on the bench.”
Morgan Rielly, who scored the winner, saw the scrap the same way.
“It was awesome,” Rielly said. “That's what Wayne brings to this group. He has been doing that in his career for a long time. It's incredibly valuable. We're lucky to have him.”
HYMAN HYPE
No surprise, but Zach Hyman didn't sulk when he learned he would be starting on the Leafs' third line to begin the season. No phone call to his agent wondering why he was not with Auston Matthews or John Tavares, no complaining, just the response you would expect: Nose to the grindstone, and do all he can to make the line work.
It's a significant year for Hyman, to say the least, considering his impending status as an unrestricted free agent once the off-season hits.
“I think people make a huge deal out of a contract year, and it's a big year, but for me, it's always about the team and what can I do to help the team win,” Hyman said. “That is where my head is at. I have not really thought about the contract too much. Toronto is a place I love and would love to be, but I'm just focusing on this year and focusing on the team and that stuff usually gets sorted out pretty quickly afterward.”
There have been no recent talks between the Leafs and Hyman's agent, Todd Reynolds.
PRIME ATTRACTION
Don't have a subscription to Amazon Prime?
If you're a Leafs fan, you might want to get one.
The Leafs will be involved in a multi-episode docuseries called “All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs,” which will give fans a behind-thescenes look at the club as it makes its way through the abbreviated regular season.
“This season will be unique for many different reasons,” Leafs president Brendan Shanahan said. “We feel that ‘All or Nothing' will provide our team a way to connect with Maple Leafs fans here in Toronto and around the world like never before.
“Despite not having fans in the arenas, Canada's passion for the game of hockey will be on display and we're honoured to work with Amazon and the NHL to bring fans that much closer to our game and team.”
The series will be available on Amazon Prime Video later this year.