Chris Simon Suspended 30 Games

[VodkaFish]

TORONTO - New York Islanders forward Chris Simon has been suspended for 30 games, without pay, for deliberately kicking Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jarkko Ruutu at 14:06 of the third period of NHL Game #472 on December 15, 2007. Simon will be eligible to return to NHL play in two months (February 21, 2008 vs. Tampa Bay).

"Several factors were considered in imposing the longest suspension in NHL history for an on-ice incident," said NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. "While it was fortunate there was no serious injury to Mr. Ruutu as a result of Simon's action, the deliberate act of kicking an opponent with an exposed skate blade, especially where the opponent is in a vulnerable position, is and always has been a repugnant and totally unacceptable act in the game of hockey.

“In addition, while the act itself was extremely dangerous, the fact that this is the eighth incident requiring the imposition of supplementary discipline on Simon compelled me to impose a very severe penalty in this case. When a player repeatedly evidences the lack of ability to control his actions and conducts himself in total disregard of the rules, as well the health and safety of other players on the ice, each subsequent incident is deserving of enhanced scrutiny and more severe discipline. This response serves not only the purpose of imposing appropriate punishment for the player involved, but also the purpose of deterring the player and all other players from engaging in similar conduct in the future - hopefully creating a safer long-term work environment for all NHL players."

Based on his average annual pay, and the fact that he is considered a repeat offender, Simon forfeits $292,683.00. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

[thepro987]

he left the game already, didn't he?

[mckendo83]

Originally Posted by VodkaFish

TORONTO - New York Islanders forward Chris Simon has been suspended for 30 games, without pay, for deliberately kicking Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jarkko Ruutu at 14:06 of the third period of NHL Game #472 on December 15, 2007. Simon will be eligible to return to NHL play in two months (February 21, 2008 vs. Tampa Bay).

"Several factors were considered in imposing the longest suspension in NHL history for an on-ice incident," said NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. "While it was fortunate there was no serious injury to Mr. Ruutu as a result of Simon's action, the deliberate act of kicking an opponent with an exposed skate blade, especially where the opponent is in a vulnerable position, is and always has been a repugnant and totally unacceptable act in the game of hockey.

“In addition, while the act itself was extremely dangerous, the fact that this is the eighth incident requiring the imposition of supplementary discipline on Simon compelled me to impose a very severe penalty in this case. When a player repeatedly evidences the lack of ability to control his actions and conducts himself in total disregard of the rules, as well the health and safety of other players on the ice, each subsequent incident is deserving of enhanced scrutiny and more severe discipline. This response serves not only the purpose of imposing appropriate punishment for the player involved, but also the purpose of deterring the player and all other players from engaging in similar conduct in the future - hopefully creating a safer long-term work environment for all NHL players."

Based on his average annual pay, and the fact that he is considered a repeat offender, Simon forfeits $292,683.00. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

More than most people on here expected but i think because his last name was Simon they had to give him more than the 25 he just got done serving...what a psycho idiot.

[suckerpunch]

WOW almost 300K in fines.
That's gotta hurt.

[zoli]

Wow....

I think it is way too high, but i have to say i am not an expert on this (i dont get too many NHL games in Slovakia). But come on, Corson did the same thing to Cairns few years back (howewer that kick didnt land). I expected like 10-15 games, not 30.

Not a great way to retire and i wont be surprised if he didnt get contract at the end of the season. Sad ending for Simon, in his last years he received the highest suspensions in the history of the NHL.

[FlyersEnforcer]

I expected a pretty lengthy penalty but not to top his other one. The kick wasn't that forceful. However, since Simon is a repeat offender you got to take the maximum discipline.

[Tool13]

People defending what he did, pathetic. What if he cut his achilles tendon? we all know how sharp the blades are.

I'm all for rough stuff, but Simon is an idiot.

[paint huffer]

I made this post in the other thread, but I was too stupid to move it to the appropriate forum, so here it goes again, these are my thoughts on the topic...

While I don't for a second condone what he did, in 95% of cases I'd call 30 games too much. But then you have to consider his track record and the fact that it's the "new" NHL. So 30 games is appropriate, I guess.

All you Simon fans out there (and I know there are still a good handful left...myself included) just be happy that he did this to Mr. Ruutu and not someone along the lines of Sidney Crosby or Markus Naslund. It'd be at least 40 games in that case, probably 50.

[PhlyerPhanatic]

Simon should just retire and call it a career. If there was ever a guy that has been in need of councelling since his Junior Hockey days...this is the guy. Boulerice falls into the same category IMO. Sure at times these players can add something beneficial to the game with their toughness,but at what cost? Simon is just 1 bad incident away from seriously injuring someone. All of his backers need to step back and take a good hard look at what he has been guilty of during his career. Like I said...he's a tough player and plays on the edge...but at what point does he wear out his welcome?

[anglestad]

Hell be tits up in a gutter with a bottle of grey goose and a crack pipe in his hand !!

[PilotsFan]

The Bettman league has sent numerous messages this yr that this type of action will be dealt with in the harshest of manners. In the heat of the moment some of these guys cannot resist temptation to just lose their friggin minds.
Didnt he finish last seson and start this season on a suspension?
Simon on Hollweg, stick to the face, or am I thinking of someone else.
Some people just dont get it.

[OHLTG_Dave]

A repeat offender with a history of being a loose cannon who used his skates to attempt to injure a player in a vulnerable position. As big a fan as I am of the guy, 30 games is reasonable. That being said, the NHL needs to seriously look at how they suspend head shots now as a head shot should be deemed worse than a kick to the skate of any player.

[Dirty Harry]

Originally Posted by anglestad

Hell be tits up in a gutter with a bottle of grey goose and a crack pipe in his hand !!

What...again?

Seriously, enough is enough. I'd be very surprised if he doesn't call it quits. Sooner or later, players are going to take matters into their own hands with this guy. Do the Pens-Isles play any games after his suspension ends in Feb? If so, and if he is still on the roster....both of which I doubt....he'll be a scratch for sure.

[canuck2]

No matter what era it warrented a suspension. In the new NHL 30 games for a multiple repeat offender seems right.

That being said I still have a ton of respect for Simon. He has always been one of my favourites. Yes he can appear to be missing a lug nut but ask his teamates he is one of their all time favourite teamates no matter what team he has been on.

He has taken some flak from Islander fans on here which I find puzzling but it probably reflects more on the moronic nature of those particluar fans.

[Killah_punk]

8th suspension says it all, this guy should retire before he kills someone. Who's had more then 8 suspensions in the NHL anyways?