Campbell's Cuts: Give Simon the royal boot
Chris Simon has had a career full of suspensions.
Ken Campbell
2007-12-17 14:05:58
It certainly wasn't Chris Simon's most heinous on-ice act of aggression – after all, we're talking about a guy who has served 35 games worth of suspensions for the following: Two-handing an opponent in the face; cross-checking another in the throat; kneeing; elbowing; cross-checking an opponent and then jumping on him and punching him; and uttering a racial slur towards an African-American opponent.
But what Simon did Saturday night should finally get him expelled from the NHL for good. And if the league doesn't have the gumption to do it, then the New York Islanders should.
Either of them could compile a very good case for doing so.
Simon will undoubtedly receive the seventh suspension of his career for his latest episode. But you have to give him credit on one front – at least he's finding novel ways to make an idiot of himself. This time, in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Simon responded to a fairly innocuous exchange between Jarkko Ruutu of the Penguins and Tim Jackman of the Islanders by effectively slew-footing Ruutu, then stomping on the back of his right skate.
The play may have seemed harmless enough, but what if Simon had gone a little higher and sliced Ruutu's calf muscle? A 6-foot-4, 235-pound man stomping on flesh with a sharp skate blade, the result could have been devastating, even tragic. Remember, Dan Boyle of the Tampa Bay Lighting needed surgery to repair three severed tendons after a skate fell off a hook in his dressing room stall and onto his left wrist during the pre-season, so it's not a stretch to suggest Simon's act had the potential to be far more serious.
The NHL should kick Simon out of the league because, with his seventh suspension on the way, it could easily be argued he has lost the privilege of playing in the best league in the world. And if he hasn't, the league could just as easily argue that, given his two-handed swing to the face of Ryan Hollweg was mere months ago, Simon is a menace who is creating a dangerous workplace for everyone who has the misfortune of being on the ice when he is.
The NHL should have the cahunas to suspend Simon for the Islanders' remaining 51 games this season, plus the playoffs if the Islanders qualify. That would almost certainly end Simon's career – at least in the NHL – once and for all. If NHL Players' Association executive director Paul Kelly is as concerned with players respecting one another and with being a good partner with the league, then he should look out for the safety of his constituents and stand by the suspension.
Related Links
The team has given Simon time away to seek assistance, and should simply put an end to this nonsense by sending him to the minors for the rest of the season. Not only does Simon continue to be an embarrassment to the organization, the Islanders could argue his presence in the lineup is counterproductive.
Not only was his match penalty against the Penguins gratuitous and stupid, it also snuffed out any chance the surging Islanders had to come back and tie the score Saturday. Should the Islanders miss the playoffs by one or two points this season, they can point back to that game as one of the reasons why.
In 26 games this season, Simon has averaged seven minutes per game and has totaled one goal and three points. And for a player who is supposed to be as physical as Simon is, the guy has a measly 12 hits, averaging not even one hit for every two games he plays. Simon is second on the Islanders in penalty minutes with 51 (Andy Sutton leads the team with 53). Once a very effective tough guy who could contribute offensively, Simon has degenerated into a fourth-line thug, one who would be easily replaced by a call-up from the farm team.
And the best thing about it is suspending Simon wouldn't even cost the Islanders much in lost salary. That's because of his $800,000 stipend for this season, the Islanders have already paid $325,000 as a bonus for Simon playing five games. With 76 of the 187 days of the season already accounted for, the Islanders have to pay Simon just $282,000 for the rest of the season. He's also eligible for $100,000 in bonuses for scoring 10 and 15 goals, but it's unlikely Simon would be able to find enough time out from abusing people to be able to score that many.
Chris Simon has become a blight on the NHL and the New York Islanders. And it's time for one or both of them to get rid of him for good.
Ken Campbell's Cuts appears Mondays only on The Hockey News.com.
One of THN’s senior writers, Ken Campbell gives you insight and opinion on the world of hockey like no one else. Subscribe to The Hockey News to get Ken's expertise delivered to you every issue.
DAVID K (Posted 2008-01-06 11:39:03)
NEW SUBJECT
WHAT ABOUT DOWNIE FROM THE FILTHADEPHIA FLYERS - TALK ABOUT A COWARD - DID YOU SEE HIM PUNCH JASON BLAKE (WHO WAS BEING HELD BY REF) IN THE EYE - I GUESS THE 20 GAME SUSPENSION WAS'T ENOUGH - IF THE TEAM HAD TO PLAY A ROSTER SPOT DOWN DURING THE SUSPENSION THAT MAY END THE CAREER OF THIS COWARD
Brian (Posted 2008-01-03 13:48:28)
Simon is the very next person the NHL should test for drugs. If there are steroids in the NHL (knowing they cause irrational behavior among other problems) this may be where we find them....
Jan (Posted 2007-12-19 14:49:57)
Why hasn't someone (the league, whatever team he plays for, his fellow hockey players, etc) worked with Chris Simon in the past to help him deal with "issues" that he can't seem to get under control when he's out on the ice. Eight suspensions are enough -- time to let him go before another player is seriously injured (or worse).
Mike Bassarab (Posted 2007-12-19 13:21:41)
Ken, Chris Simon will not be out of the Islanders for one reason, Ted Nolan. It is unfortunate that Nolan is hitching his wagon to a one trick pony that has lost his trick. Chris Simon should have a press conference, apologize for his actions and then tell everyone thank you for the chance to play in the NHL. It would be better for Chris Simon to leave hockey before Garth Snow tells him that he is no longer welcome on the island.
JohnnyBoy (Posted 2007-12-19 08:08:03)
Simon's issues began to surface while he was playing for that first-class jerk Crawford in Colorado. Off ice in Colorado, he was relatively peaceful guy, but on-ice he became insitgated by Crawford who would belittle him at Avs practice sessions. Due to Crawford, Simon felt he was compelled to play a role higher than an aggressor and this has carried with him post-Avs days.
Mrs. Bettman (Posted 2007-12-19 03:01:00)
Myself and Gary agree that this Simon monster is good for our dream of transforming north american hockey players into NHL Euro-sexuals, prompting them to beg for abuse and degradation in our new kingdom. We sadisticly love watching cowardly Euros taunt both skilled and gritty players and then turtle when confronted by men. This pleases Gary much. Things are so much better now that there are no longer fights when players arw challenged and instead we are subjected to these wonderfully tittilating abuses by outrageously frustrated north american players. Gary now believes he can also help the NFL by instituting a no contact rule within five yards of the line of scrimmage causing more unimaginable and unresearched repercussions. Hell he's 2 for 2.
Randy Pitstick (Posted 2007-12-18 18:06:10)
All Simon needs is a little time to get his mind right, a little celebrity rehab, and a little religion! Bull! The NHL needs to make it clear that attempts to injure will not be tolerated. Ban Simon now, forever.
Matthew Werner (Posted 2007-12-18 18:05:42)
Simon's contract states that if he were to sustain another suspension, his contract could be cancelled with no money owed to Simon.
Bill Carroll (Posted 2007-12-18 16:43:02)
Alright, I know previously I have advocated intently on the code of honor in the NHL being lost, and the instigation rule removed. Keep in mind too that I am a huge Penguins/Rangers fan. Chris Simon is NOT the player everyone is making him out to be. He didn't do this to Malkin, or Stall. He did it against Ruutu. Someone that truly is a fudgebag of a player, consistently looking to do dirty things on the ice. He's playing for the wrong team in Penn. Also, I'll never forget Chris and his play in Calgary either and those playoff runs. Simon is the kind of guy you never think about, or don't consider a factor as an opponent. The hardworking, passionate, powerhouse sort of players. He's exactly what Darren McCarthy would be seen as without the Red Wings. There's something obviously going on with Chris that effecting his play. Perhaps its Hillary Duff around. I'd be pissed to have any sort of woman like that around my clubhouse. Besides joking, something is going on in his head thats making him more evil these days. He just needs some time to come back around I think. You can see it in his eyes; foolish as it sounds. With the Flames you could see it in him that he doesn't want to be seen as a bad guy, has or had a lot of respect. Almost like seeing innocence. Now its just pure hate that he's looking to spread because he needs to release it. Listen, all I'm saying is all NHL fans are always looking for a new dartboard face in this new inquisition put on by the lack of respect and increase in "unnecessary violence" thats going down in the NHL. But can we spare the players that HAVE done something before; unlike those Flyers players that get off. If anything Chris needs to be helped to deal with these personal issues he's obviously dealing with. So, its Christmas, I'm an Atheist, so lets give maybe just a little support instead of gathering fire wood and rope.
Commisioner Gary Bettman (Posted 2007-12-18 13:20:02)
We appreciate your attention in this matter. I assure you,justice will rain down like hell fire upon him. This is the NEW nhl. We really mean it this time.
Garry Temchuk (Posted 2007-12-18 11:28:12)
Ken, as an Islander fan, I am not making light of Simon's actions, but as far as I'm concerned the Islanders and Charles Wang have already taken the high road. The league will suspend Simon, that is a given, but instead of throwing the baby with the bath water, the Islanders actually what to help Simon get treatment for personal problems that we as outsiders don't know about. My personal thought is that you are still bitter about the Islanders winning a playoff series back in the the early 80's when we actually travelled from Sudbury to go and see the domination first hand. No vulgarity or disrepect intended.
Your old buddy
Garry Temchuk
Karol Singleton (Posted 2007-12-18 07:54:15)
Apparently Simon is a good player.. but he has a control problem.
I believe any of the guys could do what he has done, but they respect each other.. as human beings.. more than, to try to injure one another.
I would almost bet.. if you get into the life of Chris, he has a long going problem w/ control.. and if he is married.. I'd bet you could start right there w/ the wife.................
Apple doesn't fall far from the tree.. it may be a family problem, which is made huge when he's on the ice.
Simon is doing this sort of thing consistantly.. that tells me it is the norm, not the unusual for him. Probably ingrained in his life style.
Doug (Posted 2007-12-18 00:07:40)
Simon should get the McSorley treatment, see ya later dough head...
Rob Reardon (Posted 2007-12-17 18:33:17)
Let him go...Chris Simon hasn't warranted a place in the NHL for years now. His antics are like those seen in the movie Slap Shot, not in the NHL. There are far more deserving young guys waiting for their chance to step into this league. Simon is quoted as saying he is thankful for the opportunity to fulfill his dream of playing in the NHL, but by giving Simon a place on any roster, the league is stopping them from fulfilling a dream. Perhaps he can play in the same league as Theo Fleury!
Dave (Posted 2007-12-17 17:50:58)
Thank you Mr Campbell for your delightful insight on this issue!! I believe more substance needs to be reported on this, so the league will respond w/o feeling sorry for Chris Simon or for any other "Slug" that feels a needs to end a mans' dream to be a NHLer.
Joe Willix (Posted 2007-12-17 16:47:16)
I used to love Christ Simon back with Quebec and Colorado, and his bouts with Tie Domi were classics. But he should have been banned for life for the Hollweg incident last season, so I won't be surprised when the NHL sits on their hands once again.
Fred Bartsch (Posted 2007-12-17 16:19:43)
I don't know what Simon was thnking and I don't care. suspend him for the rest of the NHL season and playoffs, with the condition that he gets professional help over seen by the NHL. Otherwise suspension for the rest of his life.
Ray (Posted 2007-12-17 15:31:51)
Simon obviously can not control himself on the ice and should be banned from the league for the safety of all players. Hopefully Colin Campbell will have the guts (for once) to ban him for life.
Bob Schmidt (Posted 2007-12-17 15:01:58)
Chris Simon is an embarrasment to the sport of hockey at this point. He had his day in the sun but if you have to resort to these low tactics and think you're not hurting your team, you have to realise you're done. This is not helping sell the sport. It was selfish and cold blooded. Ban him for life. 7 strikes and you're out.
Advertisement
One-quarter of the way into the season, who is the NHL's MVP?
“It’s good. Change it up. Whatever it takes to win. Maybe one day I’m going to wear green. I don’t know, when’s St. Patrick’s Day?"
- Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk on the shuffling of the Thrashers' lines in practice.
Our Partners
The Hockey News Corporation. All Rights Reserved © 2008 Transcontinental
Standards: XHTML 1.0 STRICT + CSS 2. V 1.5 17.09.2008
