Wayne Simmonds left Friday's game against the Capitals in the first period after taking an elbow to the head. Capitals defenseman John Erskine landed the nasty hit, and though it wasn't penalized it's definitely one that could be suspension-worthy. Simmonds' nose was bloodied and he was very slow to get up. He left immediately (at 18:14) and did not return at the start of the second period. He played 5:05.

Wayne Simmonds totaled 14 penalty minutes in Sunday's 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay. Simmonds was whistled for roughing minor and an unsportsmanlike minor prior to being sent to the locker room late in the third period with a 10-minute misconduct. He has provided fantasy owners with plenty of bang for their buck six games into the season by scoring four points (two goals and two assists) and posting 27 minutes in the sin bin. Simmonds could be a great alternative for fantasy owners stinging over the loss of Scott Hartnell if he's available.

Wayne Simmonds registered a goal and an assist for the Flyers in a 2-1 win over the Rangers Thursday. The power forward's goal was his first of the campaign and he later assisted on a power-play tally by Jakub Voracek. With Scott Hartnell nursing a sore foot and Brayden Schenn serving a one-game suspension, Simmonds was counted on to carry a greater offensive load and he sis not disappoint.

Wayne Simmonds amassed 11 penalty minutes to salvage his night in a 3-0 loss to New Jersey. In addition to dropping the gloves to square off against David Clarkson, Simmonds picked up a goaltender interference minor as well as a double-minor for roughing. For those participating in rotisserie formats, this isn't a terrible result when you consider that the Flyers were shut out.

Wayne Simmonds enjoyed his time in Europe, but it was an adjustment. "It's a different game completely," Simmonds said. "Hockey over there, I thought, was completely different. More east-west and not north-south. For me, it took a little bit of adjusting to get used to. I tried not to change my game too much because I knew we'd be playing this year." Simmonds noted a lack of fighting and players taking "more liberties," especially when it came to obstructing. Simmonds had 49 points and 114 penalty minutes in 82 games last season.

Wayne Simmonds remains optimistic that the lockout will be solved and a shortened season will be played. "I think it'd be silly to lose a season over the stuff that's in between us right now," Simmonds said. "I think we're close enough to where we can get a deal done." Simmonds says it's the first time he hasn't played organized hockey since he was six years old and calls it "frustrating" to be missing out on so much. He did play briefly in the Czech League where he was the object of racial slurs, but he says that didn't taint his experience there.

Wayne Simmonds said he didn't return to North America because of the racial abuse he suffered from some fans at a game in the Czech Republic. He returned for family reasons, which he stated were "fine" now. "It wasn't me itching to come back. I had to come home," said Simmonds. "I had stuff I had to deal with." He also commented that playing overseas had its challenges, but he enjoyed the experience. Simmonds participated in the Operation Hat Trick charity game over the weekend to help benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy. He hasn't ruled out going back to Europe if the lockout continues to drag along, but for now he'll be "in and out of Philly" and he plans to work out in Toronto while spending some time with his mother.

Czech Extraliga team Liberec announced the departure of Wayne Simmonds from their roster on Wednesday The Philadelphia winger cited "family reasons" as the explanation for his exit and he will return home. Simmonds was the subject of racial taunts roughly two weeks ago while playing in the Czech Republic, which may have played a part in his decision to leave.

Wayne Simmonds shook off the distractions of Sunday's racial unpleasantness to help Liberec earn a 3-2 triumph against Kometa Brno on Tuesday. He scored a pair of goals in the contest, including the game-winner, to give himself four points in four Czech Extraliga outings. Fellow NHL imports Ladislav Smid of the Edmonton Oilers and Chris Stewart of the St. Louis Blues posted an assist apiece for Liberec in the match.

Wayne Simmonds was a victim of racial slurs following a fight during a game in the Czech Republic on Sunday. The Chomutov fans chanted racial slurs at him and the marketing director of the team has since issued an apology. "We are disgusted with the behavior of small groups of spectators who significantly damaged the reputation of the whole. . . . club. We would like to deeply apologize to Mr. Simmonds and the Liberec players," said David Dinda in a statement. Simmonds has faced racism before on the ice from the fans, as it was just last year that a fan threw a banana at him during an exhibition game in London, Ontario. The Philadelphia winger started the lockout with Crimmitschau in Germany, but he has been playing with Liberec in the Czech Extraliga of late.