Flyers' Simmonds on McDonagh altercation: 'I'm not a dirty player'
Wayne Simmonds bided his time as New York Rangers coach Alain Vigneault had his say in the wake of the Philadelphia Flyers forward's physical exchange with captain Ryan McDonagh over the weekend.
While Vigneault directed most of his venom toward the league following New York's 3-2 shootout win over Philadelphia on Saturday, Simmonds opted to defend himself after Tuesday's practice.
Via Philly.com:
"I'm not a dirty player. I may play physical. I take the body and fight the occasional time, but in no means am I a dirty player trying to run around and injure players. That's never been my MO and never will be."
After being cross-checked by McDonagh, Simmonds responded with a punch to the head to receive a match penalty for intent to injure and a game misconduct. The NHL did not provide additional punishment, prompting Vigneault to take issue with the league and wondered aloud if that would be the case should Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby be involved.
Vigneault is smoking the #NHL for not suspending Simmonds. Says he wonders if McDonagh were Crosby what league would have done #NYR
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) February 8, 2016
Perhaps the Penguins (27-18-7) will address that issue to Vigneault personally when they host the Rangers (30-18-5) on Wednesday.
Ding ding ding! If Simmonds had been seriously hurt by the cross-check to the head, conversation would be different. https://t.co/Mbn4rArDac
— Dave Isaac (@davegisaac) February 8, 2016
As for Simmonds, he'll have an opportunity to renew acquaintances with Vigneault on Sunday when the Flyers (23-19-9) visit Madison Square Garden.
Whether McDonagh (concussion) plays in that contest is uncertain. The 26-year-old sat out New York's 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Monday.