Wed 19 Dec 2007
Well, I am not surprised from the NHL’s standpoint. I was hoping for less, but this is how they wish to make their statement. There is no right and wrong, in my opinion, on this.
For the case of the Isles, they are supporting Simon, the human being 100%, and that is nothing short of exactly what I expected.
This is the statement from Garth Snow today:
“Since Saturday night, the focus of the New York Islanders has been on Chris Simon the person, not him as a player or on his place in our lineup. As we announced on Monday, the Islanders are going to provide Chris the time and support that he needs for counseling. For Chris right now, hockey must be secondary to the priority of taking care of himself.
“Chris has played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League, has won a Stanley Cup and just as importantly has won the respect of his teammates. He is an Islander, deserves our compassion, and we ask that all Islanders fans join us in supporting Chris every step of the way.�
Well done. This is where the focus should be. Chris has gone through a lot in his life. It is time to get him sorted. Even if he never plays another second in hockey, he needs to be able to get ready for the remainder of his life. He has a lot of work to do, and no matter what you feel about the player, or his record, you have to support the human element.
I hope that this Holiday Season becomes a basis point for Chris to examine his life, his actions, and his future, and hope that he make strives to become a better Chris Simon.
God speed to you, sir.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
you were hoping for less? i was hoping for the rest of the season. sure he may be a good teammate and a good person. but on the ice hes a detriment. his play is decreasing AND he pops off like this. if he didnt learn from his 25 gamer last season from what he did to hollweg, hes not going to learn. i honestly think its time for chris to hang up the skates
December 19th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
As I said - no right or wrong with the opinion. 30 seems to be fine. I wrote before I thought. All I wish for is him to be a better person. “Screw” the hockey end, right now…
December 19th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
It is very easy for the arm chair hockey player to express opinions based on what “they think they’d do” or “what should be done”. I knew Chris would receive a substantial number of games, and I believe he deserves to sit for his actions. The number of games is not an issue to me. What he did was thoughtless and stupid, beyond the fact that it may have cost us a game and how some feel it reflects on the overall team. There have been plenty of ugly incidents in the sport over the last few years, and I don’t think the NHL has handled them all with any consistency or efficiency. And, NO, this is not making excuses for Simon or inferring that the punishment does not fit the crime. My point is pointing at him and this notion of him being some kind of “monster” falls well short of the reality.
I was no fan of Chris through the years at all. I recall his days as a Capital and Ranger and simply hating the guy. Maybe I’m just getting older and my outlook on the game has become more player based than just me simply being an Islander fan. I just want the guy to get the help he needs and assuming what is to come for him as an Islander or having a career in the NHL is not something that is worth speculating on at this point. I will not debate anyone on his “bone head” moves over the last two seasons, but I also understand the importance of locker room presence and leadership among the players we, as fans, have no idea about. The “chief” is a leader and I believe it is more important, in the long run, how this episode is received by his team mates and how it impacts his standing with them. If he has lost respect with them and they’d prefer him not be around, that speaks a bit more than anything else.
December 19th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Like I said in the poll, he is the nicest guy off the ice so I really do hope he is able to pull his life together. But when it comes to the game he is definitely a liability and if the Isles truly want to try to make the playoffs and a run at the cup then he can’t be part of the equation. We’ll never get the respect we deserve as a team if we keep getting this kind of press.
December 19th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
The most important thing, as Gary said, is for Chris Simon to get the help he needs. Hockey is seconday. That being said, I have no arguement with the suspension. He’s lucky he’s will have the opportunity to resume his career if he chooses to. The suspension was partly based on his previous record. Besides, I really don’t think it’s any loss to the team.