(Photo: Kate Frese)
By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The NHL trade deadline is two weeks and a half weeks away and with time winding down, there is apparently no progress in any contract talks for Wayne Simmonds.
According to a report from Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer, there has been no progress in negotiations between Simmonds and the Flyers on a new contract. GM Chuck Fletcher had previously said that the Flyers would either sign Simmonds to an extension or trade Simmonds by the Feb. 25 deadline.
Simmonds has scored 16 goals and added eight assists for 24 points in 53 games. In eight seasons with the Flyers, Simmonds has played in 575 games entering Thursday night's action, scoring 203 goals and adding 172 assists for 375 points.
While a lot can certainly happen in two and a half weeks and plans can change, the report here is certainly telling. If the Flyers can't strike a deal with Simmonds, a trade seems likely. Fletcher does not want to lose Simmonds for nothing via free agency.
Of course, the Flyers eight-game winning streak entering Thursday's game can also change the course of action. The Flyers could keep Simmonds and view it as an in-house rental. That would be a more favorable option if there was more progress in talks.
Whether the Flyers decide to keep Simmonds through the remainder of the season, make the progress necessary to complete a deal or made the difficult decision to trade Simmonds, a decision figures to be coming soon. With the news of no progress in contract talks, it would be hard to imagine Simmonds remains with the Flyers beyond the next couple of weeks.
