Wayne Simmonds has heard Robin Lehner's message about Kyle Beach and has spoken out as well

Following Tuesday's 4-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner didn't want to use his time with the Toronto media to discuss the game - but rather, to highlight what Kyle Beach has gone through and continues to go through throughout this whole process relating to being abused by Chicago Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich back in 2010, the organizational cover-up, the lawsuit against the Blackhawks and, after 11 years, revealing himself to tell his story.

Lehner called upon, not only his teammates, but also his peers around the entire NHL to stand up and show their support for Beach and to publicly condemn the actions of those who have been and who still need to be held accountable for their actions. He also spoke of the change that is needed moving forward and mentioned that it's also on the players to demand that change.

Lehner's comments reached at least one individual on the opposing side, as Toronto Maple Leafs forward Wayne Simmonds spoke openly on Wednesday with the media about where he is at with the whole Kyle Beach ordeal and Simmonds, being the character guy that he is and has been in the NHL, shared his thoughts and his sorrow over what happened to Beach, agreeing with everything that Lehner had said less than 24 hours ago. You can see the video below.

Simmonds made a few really key points, but the one that stuck with me was his focus on how the veterans have a moral obligation to create a safer environment for the next generation of players and allow them to feel like they can come forward with things that they feel are inappropriate, without fear of recourse or repercussions.

The Scarborough native also expressed his sadness over Beach apologizing for what happened to the 16-year-old who was sexually assaulted years after he was, as if he played some role in that happening. Of course, we know that isn't the case and that Beach did try to come forward with the allegations and it was the team, the organization and the NHL and NHLPA who failed both him and John Doe 2.

In an ideal world, this awful situation would have never happened. In the world that we actually live in, this heinous act did occur and now the league needs more players like Lehner and Simmonds to come forward and demand action and change to create a safer environment for all of the league's players - young and old - who have every right to feel safe while they do their jobs.

Among the things that Simmonds felt was most important in all of this was the idea of having a third-party organization handle these sorts of situations and the necessary discipline that follows so that players like Kyle Beach are not brushed aside and left to deal with the trauma on their own for 11 years before some form of justice is dispensed.

MUST READ

11 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Two Maple Leafs Reporters Have Tense Altercation on Mitch Marner's Market Value

13 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Nashville Predators Practice Takes a Nasty Turn as Players Fight On the Ice Due to Mounting Frustration

14 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks John Gibson Reportedly Willing to Waive No-Trade Clause for One Specific Team

15 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Toronto Maple Leafs on the Verge of a Significant Forward Trade Per Top NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman

17 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Connor Bedard Rapidly Losing His Confidence: Comments at Practice Worrying Fans

19 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Johnny Gaudreau's Wife Meredith Has Emotional Reaction to Beautiful Fan Tribute to Her Late Husband

20 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Brad Marchand Traded by the Boston Bruins? Top NHL Insider Lists Him as a Possible Player to Move

21 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Florida Panthers' Aaron Ekblad Loses His Cool and Insults Fan

MORE STORIES