CHRIS SIMON SUSPENDED 30 GAMES
Posted On Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at at 11:04 AM by Pucks on Broadway
According to multiple news outlets, the NHL has suspended Chris Simon 30 games for his actions against Jarkko Ruutu of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
If you haven't seen the video click here.
Simon was given an indefinite leave of absence from the Islanders yesterday to work out his on and off-ice problems.
Was thirty games enough? Yes, but the real question is whether anyone will continue to let him play. It's incredibly important to note that if the NHL expels him from the league, it sets a precedent. Are repeat offenders more likely to receive that kind of punishment? Was Marty McSorley's incident worse than Simon's? How do you define the standard?
Given these questions it's understandable that the league doesn't want to go that far into the issue. However, if any team signs Simon or if the Islanders allow him to return, they are far worse than the offender because they are allowing it and nearly condoning it.
The same way Islander's Head Coach Ted Nolan came to Simon's defense following his Ryan Hollweg incident, he is nearly as guilty as Simon if he allows him to return to the lineup.
For the sake of himself, the league, and his team, Chris Simon should retire and not do any further harm to himself or others.
(photo from Losers with Socks)
As I mentioned before the suspension was handed out, I think Simon the Barbarian should be suspended for the rest of the year if not his career. Don't leave it in his hands to decide to retire. What does he care? He makes more money playing in between suspensions than he would as a construction worker or something of that ilk. What truly gets me is that his coach had the nerve to step out and say the suspension was "excessive." I understand supporting a guy on your team, but to have the nerve to say that 30 games was too much after Simon has intentionally tried to severaly injury two players is insane.
Couldn't agree more. however, he isn't getting paid during the suspension. My fear is that if he doesn't retire, he will come back in February, play until the end of the year and then not be signed. He shouldn't be given the satisfaction of the rest of the season so the only way to keep him out is either let him retire or put it in the hands of the NHL. Which, they already opted against.