Devils sign Simmonds
Former Flyer agrees to $5M deal
The Devils added Wayne Simmonds in free agency on Monday, agreeing to a $5 million, one-year contract with the physical winger.
Simmonds, who turns 31 in August, played for Philadelphia and Nashville last season, finishing with 17 goals and 13 assists in 79 games. He also made two playoff appearances with the Predators.
The move reunites Simmonds with P.K. Subban, who was acquired by the Devils in a trade with Nashville last month.
The Devils are coming off a last-place finish in the Metropolitan Division with a 31-4110 record. They have made the playoffs just once since they lost to the Kings in the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals, but they are much improved since the end of last season.
In addition to the acquisitions of Simmonds and Subban, a six-time All-Star defenseman, they selected forward Jack Hughes with the No. 1 overall pick in last month's draft. If 2018 NHL MVP Taylor Hall can stay healthy and Nico Hischier continues his development after he was the firstoverall pick in 2017, the Devils could be poised for a quick turnaround.
RYPIEN ARRESTED
Former Super Bowl hero Mark Rypien, who announced last year that he believes he suffered brain damage while playing in the NFL that caused him to behave violently at times, pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of domestic violence against his wife, Danielle.
Rypien was taken to the Spokane County Jail on Sunday afternoon after his arrest near a bank on the north side of the city. A witness who saw the couple called police and said Rypien's wife said he had struck her. She was evaluated and did not need medical treatment, police said.
Rypien, 56, was released without bail; his next court appearance was scheduled for July 31. Prosecutors initially asked for a no-contact order between Rypien and his wife at the brief hearing, but she argued against that.
DORTMUND SIGNS NYCFC’s REYNA
Borussia Dortmund has agreed to sign former United States international Claudio Reyna's son, Giovanni Reyna, from New York City FC for its under-19 side.
The Bundesliga club says the 16-year-old Reyna, a midfielder, will move on a free transfer, subject to approval from FIFA.