Simmonds (lower body) will suit up for Friday's exhibition game against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Simmonds has been dealing with a lower-body injury since the end of the 2018-19 campaign, but he's now back to 100 percent and ready to shake off the rust ahead of the Devils Oct. 4 regular-season opener against Winnipeg. The 31-year-old power forward had a disappointing season last year, notching just 17 goals and 30 points after totaling 24 goals and 46 points in 2017-18, but he could bounce back in 2019-20 on a New Jersey team that shouldn't have trouble putting the puck in the net.

Contrary to a previous report, Simmonds (lower body) won't play in Monday's preseason game versus the Bruins, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Simmonds was taking line rushes in practice, so the Devils may simply be exercising caution with their veteran winger. There's no reason to push Simmonds too early, as he'll add a valuable power-play upside and a physical presence in the bottom six when the regular season begins.

Simmonds (lower body) will play in Monday's preseason game versus the Bruins, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Simmonds is expected to play on the top line with rookie Jack Hughes and Nikita Gusev but he's expected to play a bottom-six role when the regular season begins. The veteran winger has seen his points decline in three straight seasons, marking just 30 points between the Flyers and Predators in 2018-19. He should be able to stop the skid by working on special teams with the Devils.

Simmonds (lower body) signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Devils on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Simmonds has grown familiar with the Metropolitan Division from his extensive time in Philadelphia, and he'll go back to hounding those same opponents while bringing a combination of skill and snarl to New Jersey. The power forward recorded only 30 points between the Flyers and Predators last season, as his point total dropped for the third consecutive campaign. Even if he's a little past his prime, Simmonds is still an expert at screening the goaltender and digging for rebounds, which makes him a useful weapon on the power play.

Simmonds (lower body) won't be retained by the Predators in free agency, Adam Vingan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vingan had no update on the lower-body injury that cut Simmonds' time with the Predators short after he was acquired as a rental at the trade deadline. The injury shouldn't curtail interest in the veteran power forward, who can still bring a nice mix of skill and net-front presence. Nashville won't be among his suitors in free agency, even though the team has plenty of cap room after shipping out P.K. Subban's $9 million AAV to New Jersey at the draft.

Simmonds (lower body) wasn't able to overcome his injury prior to the Predators getting bounced from the playoffs.

EDGE Analysis

Simmonds missed the final four games of the series after getting hurt early in Game 2. The winger managed just three points in 17 contests with Nashville after making the move to the Music City at the trade deadline. The 30-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and will likely have a handful of suitors looking to add a gritty, bottom-six veteran.

Simmonds (lower body) will not play in Monday's Game 6 road tilt against the Stars, Adam Vingan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Simmonds hasn't played since Game 2 and his absence is surely being felt with Nashville down 3-2 in the series. His status is unclear for Wednesday's potential Game 7 matchup.

Simmonds (lower body) wasn't on the ice for warmups ahead of Saturday's Game 5 against the Stars, Robby Stanley of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Simmons has effectively been ruled out for the latest playoff contest, the fact that his status came down to warmups suggests that he may not be all that far away from a return. It's not all doom and gloom for the Predators in the way of injuries, though, as Rocco Grimaldi (undisclosed) is set to return.

Simmonds (lower body) will not play in Monday's game against Dallas, and is considered "week-to-week".

EDGE Analysis

Simmonds left Saturday's Game 2 in the first period and didn't return after he took a shot to the leg. The fact that he's considered week-to-week casts serious doubt on his availability for Game's 4 and 5 respectively. With Simmonds out of the lineup, Miikka Salomaki (upper body) could take his place.

Coach Peter Laviolette has no updates on Simmonds (leg) following the team's 2-1 overtime win over the Stars on Saturday, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Simmonds left the game in the first period after taking a shot to the leg. He didn't play another shift, although he returned briefly to test out his leg during a timeout. The team will head on the road for Game 3, so expect an update on Simmonds' condition before then.