Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds will not face supplementary discipline from the league for allegedly directing a homophobic slur towards the Rangers' Sean Avery. The NHL released a statement Tuesday indicating that the league is unable to properly substantiate Avery's claim and is therefore not in a position to discipline Simmonds, however senior executive vice-president Colin Campbell issued the following statement: "All players, coaches and officials in the National Hockey League deserve the respect of their peers, and have the absolute right to function in a work environment that is free from racially or sexually-based innuendo or derision."

Philadelphia forward Wayne Simmonds denies he directed a homophobic slur at the Rangers' Sean Avery during Monday's game in Philadelphia. It's been quite a first pre-season in Philly for Simmonds. Avery's accusation comes a few days after a banana peel was thrown in Simmonds' direction during a game against Detroit in London, Ont. last week.

A fan threw a banana peel at Wayne Simmonds during his shootout attempt in Philadelphia's 4-3 loss to Detroit on Thursday. The game was being played in the John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario. "When you're a black man playing in a predominantly white man's sport, you've got to come to expect things like that," Simmonds said. "Over the past 23 years of my life, I've come to expect some things like that. But I'm older and more mature now, I kind of just left things roll off [my back]. I try not to think about stuff like that." Simmonds isn't the first black player to have a banana peel thrown at him during an NHL game. Kevin Weekes had a similar experience during a playoff game in 2002. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman called it an "obviously stupid and ignorant action" and added that the individual who threw the peel "in no way representative of our fans or the people of London, Ontario."

The Philadelphia Flyers have high hopes for Wayne Simmonds. Philadelphia general manager Paul Holmgren expects that Simmonds will show that he possesses more offensive ability than he displayed while a member of the Kings. "I think Wayne can score more than he scored in L.A., given a little more opportunity," he said during last week's press conference. For his part, Simmonds pointed out that he's excited to show Flyers fans that he can be a physical force, saying "Broad Street Bullies like to play physical and hit everything that moves. That's the way I like to play. I feel if I'm not playing physical, then I'm not playing well. I think I can help in that aspect." The well-rounded forward certainly has people excited for his arrival.

The Philadelphia Flyers have reached an agreement with restricted free agent Wayne Simmonds. According to a league source, Simmonds got a two-year contract worth $3.5 million. He was acquired as part of the package that saw the Flyers trade captain Mike Richards to Los Angeles.

Wayne Simmonds has been traded to Philadelphia, along with top prospect Brayden Schenn, for former Flyers captain Mike Richards. Simmonds regressed in 2010-11 after his performance the previous year put him on the radar of prospective fantasy owners. He generated 30 points and 75 penalty minutes in 80 games. The gritty style of Simmonds should fit in well with Philadelphia.