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After All-Star Game MVP, Wayne Simmonds named NHL’s first star of the week

2017 Honda NHL All-Star Tournament Final - Pacific vs. Metropolitan

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 29: Wayne Simmonds #17 of the Philadelphia Flyers reacts after being named the 2017 Honda Ridgeline NHL All-Star MVP following the 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Tournament Final at Staples Center on January 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds has had a pretty good week.

On Sunday, he was named All-Star Game MVP for helping the Metropolitan Division to its win -- and a $1 million paycheck -- with a few goals, including the game-winning goal in the championship game over the Pacific Division.

On Monday, he was named the NHL’s first star of the week not only for his play at the All-Star game, but also for scoring in a couple of games for the Flyers before the All-Star break.

From the NHL:

Simmonds earned MVP honors at Sunday’s 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Game and also registered two goals in two contests earlier in the week with the Flyers (25-19-6, 56 points). Making his All-Star Game debut in the city where he played his first three NHL seasons, Simmonds scored twice in the Metropolitan Division’s 10-6 semifinal win over the Atlantic Division before potting the tournament-clinching goal in a 4-3 triumph against the Pacific Division in the final. Earlier in the week, Simmonds notched the winning goal in a 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers Jan. 25 and again found the back of the net in a 2-1 triumph against the Toronto Maple Leafs Jan. 26. The 28-year-old Scarborough, Ont., native paces the Flyers and shares ninth place in the NHL with 21 goals in 50 games this season (21-17-38).

Simmonds has arguably been the best player on the Flyers this season, entering the second half with a team-leading 21 goals.

Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round (No. 61 overall) of the 2007 NHL draft, Simmonds was traded to Philadelphia before the 2011-12 season in the blockbuster deal that sent Mike Richards to the Kings. Since joining the Flyers Simmonds has become one of the best power forwards in the NHL and a key part of the Flyers’ core. He has scored at least 28 goals in four of the past five seasons (the 2012-13 NHL lockout shortened season being the only one he did not reach that mark) and is on pace to do it again this season. His current pace has him on track for 34 goals this season, a number that set a new career high topping the 32 he scored a year ago.