Viewpoint

are you kidding me, the suspension was to long. chris is a great guy and things happen, the mouth piece ruutu would lip off but never drop the gloves and as for simon not playing anymore thats stupid did ruutu get hurt NO. simon is not just a goone, he is a good hockey play. if he wasn't he wouldn't of been there for 15 years. see you in feb chris.

If the NHL had thrown McSorley out for life, like they should have, then Bertuzzi would not have broken Moore's neck. If they had thrown Bertuzzi out for life like they should have, then Simon would not have attempted an amputation. The league is a disgusting disgrace. Talk about serious suspensions is a joke, clearly they are not stopping the violence and are therefore not nearly severe enough.

as a father of three who would love to be involved in hockey again through his children i have a hard time convincing my wife that hockey is not a violent sport. especially when there are thugs like Simon pulling this type of BS. and for and 8th suspension after all the shit this guy has pulled is really week. if you want to clean up the pool you have to get rid of the scum, and treat the pool so the scum can't return.

Chris Simon did deserve to be suspended but the 30 game suspension is excessive. Yes he did lose control for an instant. Yes he does have a history of suspensions (which NHL player doesn't?). However, Rutuu is an agitator plain and simple who's job in the "New NHL" is to agitate and cause havoc without reprecussion (with such a 'horrid' incident happening to him it's strange to see him not miss a shift as a result of this 'travesty'). To put Simon in the same sentence as Bertuzzi, as we have heard and read, is nothing but mere rubbish. Here we have an incident where a young rising player loses his ability to play the game again while the perpetrator goes on his merry way making millions. All Simon did was do what I'm sure many players in the NHL felt like doing to a cowardly & sickening player that Rutuu is.

People, People...
Firstly on the topic of legal action; you dont sue a guard dog for charging and biting someone, you sue the owner. If you or I go out and buy a dog that has bitten 7 times before, and it goes and bites again; we'd lose everything before the wound is even dressed. What does everyone think that Chris Simon was hired to do? 19 seasons-144 goals (although a career +29 was a shock)and defensively he aint no Bob Gainey. Any litigation against MrSimon is a misdirected-but; if MrRuutu wants to end violence in hockey here and now, sue the owner, president, GM, and coach of the team. They are the ones that are sending the pit bull into the school yard. That being said, there are already too many lawyers with a say as to how the game is played and run, dont invite more. The 2 lawyers in charge have done nothing to curb violence; despite their whinning denials of promoting a more violent "product" (the hair on the back of my neck stands up when he call hockey that).
Secondly-hockey is a violent sport, or didn't you notice. Clean checks have taken away careers and even lives. And violence didn't just start in the last couple of years, its been going on since there's been a frozen pond and 2 players. Dont forget the 1955 season when the Rocket punched 2 linesmen, played baseball with Hal Laycoe's head, and sparked a riot-he finished second in scoring to Bernie Geofrion. Maybe if MrSimon was a 30-40 goal scorer we wouldn't be having this discussion, regardless of how deliberate his actions were.
PS-My apologies to all tough guys for the "guard dog" analogy. The Howe's, Messiers, Espositos, Lindsay's, Lindros', Steven's definately have a place on my team.

campbell & nhlpa what are you guys waiting for you had a chance of banning this guy for life but you didnt what in the HHHELL are you waiting for???? How can you justify your decision

AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, ANYONE AND WE ALL KNOW THAT CHRIS IS NOT THE ONLY ONE GUILTY OF THIS TYPE OF ACTION. ANY PLAYER THAT MAKES "AN ATTEMPT TO INJURE" ANOTHER PLAYER SHOULD (IN MY OPINION) BE BARRED FROM ALL FORMS OF ORGANIZED HOCKEY FOR LIFE. THESE GUYS ARE SOOO BIG AND STRONG THAT SOMEONE WILL EVENTUALLY BE KILLED DURING A ROUTINE NHL HOCKEY GAME. SO I VOTE IF THERE IS DELIBERATE ATTEMPT TO HURT SOMEONE,(A STICK SWING TO THE HEAD, A JUMP FROM BEHIND AND SHOVE A GUY TO THE ICE HEAD FIRST, A STOMP ON THE BACK OF ALEG OR FOOT, AS YOU ALL KNOW I COULD GO ON AND ON), BARRED FOR LIFE!!!! I AM WILLING TO BET IF THE LEAGUE DOES THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES THIS WONDERFUL GAME OF OURS WILL GO BACK TO BEING THE ART THAT IT USED TO BE.
RESPECTFULLY TO THOSE WHO PLAY NICE
RICK

So the octagoon is gone for thirty games.Why is Simon on the team or in the NHL in the first place? For Nolan to suggest that the punishment meted out to Simon was excessive makes me wonder what influence Nolan had in Simon's premeditated action. Why would Nolan condone such behavior?

I really hate this stuff going on in hockey. BUT let's not confuse "violence" with fighting in the Sport. Suspension after suspension after suspension and the problem still remains. Not too long ago a guy like Simon would have lot bigger problem facing him immediately. A REAL tough guy in his face gloves off and the punishment would begin. And another guy in the next arena and so on. I know I am a throw back to another time. But by god it worked.

I SEE MR. PHIL FONTAINE HAS FOUND A WAY TO TURN THIS INTO ANOTHER RACE ISSUE.IF THIS WAS ANY OTHER PLAYER WOULD HE BE SCREAMING FOR AN APOLOGY UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. LEAVE IT FOR WHAT IT IS A HOCKEY PLAYER WITH DISCIPLNE PROBLEMS NOTHING MORE NOTHING LESS.

This is not an issue for the First Nations Indians and the NHL should not get embroiled in a debate with them over what was a simple mistatement that has since been clarified. If Mr. Simon has an issue he is free to call Mr. Campbell directly who I am sure will be glad to discuss it with him. This gentleman has more to worry about than an innocent choice of words as there are many fans and I suspect many players who think he should be out of the league. Please NHL; don't give this group another forum for unwarranted publicity.

Why is Chris Simon even allowed back on the ice? Why are there no criminal charges? I'm in awe over this, I just can't figure why we tolerate this as Canadians. Every year I am pushed farther from the sport. A real shame.

The bottom line is that there is a double standard. Off the ice, this is an assault with a weapon and people guilty of that go to jail. Idiots like Chris Simon, in the end, get to keep their job and large salary, and have no criminal record.

Is the NHL aiding and abetting?

When it comes to suspensions a new approach is needed.

It is the team rather than the player that should be penalized. Take away 10-15 points from the Islanders in the standings and see what happens.

My guess is Simon would never play another game for the Isles or any other team in the NHL.

Imagine if the Flyers lost points this season for all their savagery. They'd surely be dead last in the league.

You see Coli has already pre-set his standard for this NHL seasons suspenions. Each time someone does something on the ice that merits heavy punishment (or the heaviest punishment) Coli says no problem, just tac on 5 games from the previous suspension. Steve Downie gets 20 games for his hit on McAmmond this preseason, add 5 games and you get Jessie Boulerice's 25 games for his brutal cross-check on Kesler and add 5 games to that and you get Simon's tap dance on Ruutu (which is 5 games heavier than his 25 game suspension last season when he clubbed Hollweg in the neck) The way this season has panned out, I promise we will see both, an incident that will merit a punishment heavier that Simons 30 games this season, and a suspension of 35 games for that incident

As a mother of 3 that all play hockey, I think Simon's actions are deplorable! I remember telling my kids to be careful with their skates so they don't get hurt, or worse yet, hurt someone else.

Last I checked, this is assault with a weapon - he should be facing criminal charges! If a 'regular joe' did something like this on the job, they would be let go immediately.

Counselling is always an option, but where was that offer when he received the previous NHL record of a 25 game suspension? Had he gone to counselling before, maybe this recent incident wouldn't have happened at all.

This man obviously cannot manage his anger appropriately and in fairness to him, and everyone around him, should not be put back in the same situation.

It seems to me that a blow to the head is far more deadly that a lacerated foot. Simon's mistake was in not fighting Ruutu and ending his career (or life) with a punch to the temple. Then we would have all accepted the injury (or death) an unfortunate result of an acceptable part of the game (ie, fighting) rather than a 'vicious' attack.

I loved the Sam Owens comments: "30 games...seems right for a repeat offender." Right on Sammy! Only I think you meant 'serial' offender or 'pathological' offender because Chris Simon has repeated himself 8 times: each time in a manner clearly meant to injure another player. Anyone got a term for that? 'Eightpeat' lacks a certain style. But to clearly defy deterrence Chris has become more creative each time out and has exhausted the visible aresenal. Come February 21st perhaps 'Q' can provide something surreptitious and concealed.

Animal like Simon does not belong to NHL.He gives NHL a very bad reputation.His behavior is disgusting and his absolute lack of control is a very bad example to all young hockey players.

I think one needs to also consider the fact that there was definite intent to injure another. While I did not see the game, from the highlights he looked right where he was going to stomp and followed through. The guy had no conscience to stop him and I think it is time that the league has the right to police themselves revoked and allow the courts to decide the punishment...well hopefully not using Canada's legal system as we would coddle him and tell him it is ok to be angry and just put him back in skates somewhere. While I applaud the league for increasing the penalty in light of the fact that Ruutu is the type of player to over-exagerate, the fact is that Simon had intent to injure and the league needs to take that into consideration. I honestly think that the penalty for injuring another player (barring an accident) should be the minimum the injured player is out plus another 10-15 games. Repeat offenders should be given notice that anything further means expulsion. Time to stop passively condoning violence in sports, leave the hits and fights as a minor form of policing, but put an end to goons and cheap play.

Good for the NHL..its about time some of the goons in hockey pay the price for their antics on the ice...

I think he should have been suspended for the rest of the season with the stipulation that the next time he pulls anything excessive that he get a lifetime ban.

Shouldn't the NHLPA be the responsible party for addressing this issue?

The NHLPA should want to protect its members.

It is a bit ironic that the NHLPA always stands against safety of its members, for example:
(1) they grandfathered in the helmet rule in the early 1980s
(2) they endlessly protest mandatory visors
(3) they never take a position on players that kick (ie Simon, Domi) or push for their removal from the league.

What does the NHLPA do, beside trying to extract more money from the owners?

-g

Simon should be gone at LEAST the rest of the season...when he comes back after 30 games, there is going to be only 20 or so games left..

Colin Campbell does a great disservice to the NHL and to hockey by giving Simon such a limp penalty. Simon should be permanently banned from professional hockey.

BAN HIM FROM THE GAME ALREADY!

Kick him out for good.

I keep hearing questionable comments from experts like "violence has always been a part of hockey" or "fighting is part of the game, always has been and always will be"
The implication being; just accept it and move on. If we applied that logic to other fields like gender discrimination or child pornography and just accepted it and "moved on" rather than fight it vigorously every time we saw it where would we be?
Although this sounds overly academic the moral decline that would result has a parallell in the decline in the standards of acceptable behaviour we are seeing on the ice.
I know, I know ..... "It's way better than it used to be" ..... what a lame brained defense for the argument to do nothing.

Let's be honest! The NHL is not sport, it is show business plain and simple. If the NHL was sport, then fighting or assault of any kind would not be tolerated and the result would be a lifetime suspension. This approach however, would probably not get the same box office draw and hence the owners and players would suffer financially. Once you accept that professional athletes are not necessarily sportsmanlike but entertainers, you have no problem with a 30 game suspension.

Just because a player can pick up a hockey stick doesn't mean he should. Simon needs to find something else to do...hockey isn't it. He's demonstrated that clearly time and again. He's probably a good guy... whatever... just because he can pick up a hockey stick doesn't mean he should.

The NHL is not above the law...although some of the wankers at Head Office would like to believe otherwise.

I agree with all the comments submitted stating that Simon deserves a stiffer suspension, if not banishment from the league.

Based on the responses from Ted Nolan, and most NHL Players interviewed, I don't think things are going to change much. A lot of the players state that they thought the punishment was too severe. Most comment on how nice a guy Simon is. It appears to me that the NHL Players Association are towing the Union line by not making any comments that could potentially damage one of their members positions (Chris Simon). It seems pretty stupid, doesn't it? This player is a dangerous liability for other players in their union, but they choose to defend his actions.

Here is a thought to provoke some banter. Do you think Chris Simon's behaviour is just as bad as Todd Bertuzzi's suckerpunch of Steve Moore? In my estimation, both are pathetic. If you think Simon should be banished, then the same should be true for Bertuzzi. I know that a lot of Canadian Fans won't agree with that statement, but therein lies the problem with inacting and enforcing acceptable behaviour on the ice. No one can decide what is or isn't acceptable.

Gord Pike

7 suspensions in one career! Come on NHL, when will Chris Simon be suspended forever after the 8th match/game miscounduct penalty for that kind of outragous behavior? In college hockey (or any other sport on any level), a player can be kicked off the team, never to be played again. In closing, I would like to say to ALL NHL players, including Illa Kovachuk. Such kind of behavior like Chris Simon just ain't going to be tolerated.
Clamp it down and play by the rules, cause you don't want to be like Chris Simon. Don't you?

First off, let me say that I am no fan of Simon. He's your typical goon. But, I have to come to his defence, especially since the other player involved was Jarkko Ruuttu, a well-known player out here from his time with the Canucks. Jarkko sold this well, very well, as is his custom. Of course, there's nothing wrong with him, physically...(sarcasm)
Simon did deserve the match penalty, don't get me wrong, and even a 10 game suspension would have been deserved, there's no place in the game for 'stomping'. But 30 games is over the top. And, as I said, I don't like Simon at all.....he was a Flame, after all!

Let's remember that this 'hockey' is a job. In any other job he would have been fired and charged with a crime. Perhaps all sports should be treated for what they are - a business and the athletes are employees. Fire him and anyone else who commits a criminal act. On or off the ice.

30 games.....seems right for a repeat offender. the guy is getting help and why would any of you holier than thou buffoons take away a mans ability to earn a living. I would put him on notice, which they should have done last time.

Professional athlete? This jerk should be banned from any sports for life.

The NHL has to come to realize that their customers are the FANS, and all you have to do is read any blog on this issue or any of the other suspensions this year to see that we as the customers of the NHL have had enough. The hockey world is run with a Hockey Operations first theory, which you have to in trying to win the CUP (Leafs could learn somthing in this area) however it really looks like the business of the league - not the game - is dying a slow death becasue of these types of players. As the old saying goes, if you don't take care of your customers some else will, thank you NFL!!! Just keep doing the same thing and pretty soon the league will be in deep financial trouble...ops if they are not there already.

I don't think giving someone of this nature an outright, lifetime ban is what we need at this point and I'll tell you why.

People of a violent nature typically do not react well to situations of high stress. I think giving a player such as Chris Simon a lifetime ban would be detrimental to his health and the people close to him.

The NHL's suspension is a way of saying 'This player will not play in the NHL again' and you can be sure of that, at least. Whether its 30 games or 300 games, it won't matter. At the end of the day, a player like Chris Simon will not play on any organization, and the only way to soften to blow is to give him an arbritrary amount of games as a suspension.

Another reason why the NHL won't particularly label this as a "lifetime" ban, is because of the controversy that will arise within modern day sports. The stigma attached to the words "lifetime ban" is so great that it would severly cripple (ok, more so than it already is) the sport in many American markets. We need not look far to find other sports that have problems with their players (ie: baseball).

Over the years the name of Chris Simon will simply fizzle in the record books (the bad ones anyways) and he will be forgotten. He didn't do much for the sport, but he at least allowed all the doubters (including you, Cherry) to realize there's a violence problem in hockey, as well as other professional sports.

This guy is a multiple repeat offender who's two most recent acts could have resulted in:

a. A crushed windpipe - a potential death.
b. A cut achilles’ tendon that could have ended a career.

The only people luckier than Simon at this juncture are his victims, his acts could have resulted in far more serious consequences.

On the one hand the NHL creates the instigator rule to curb violence in hockey, on the other they allow a guy like Chris Simon to continue to play in the league?

BEFORE this guy does permanent damage to another player or heaven forbid, kills someone, get him out of the game. He adds nothing and sends oh so wrong a message about what hockey is, especially to the kids. Banned for life. After this many incidents anything less is wimpy an inappropriate.

How many times does a player have to get suspended for that kind of behavior before he gets kicked out of the NHL? If there is one thing that is absolutely taboo in the NHL it's got to be using your skate blade in that manner. Remember Clint Malarchuk? And that was accidental. Simon is a poster boy for removal from the league; multiple suspensions for illegal behavior.

Simon should be banned for life. How many times would a criminal be put in jail for assaulting someone or trying to inflict pain with a razor blade or knife. This time out away from hockey is ridiculous.

Geeee... What does it takes? Only 30 games? Will the NHL wait until someone is seriously injured or killed before they do something? Just try to do that kind of stupidity and you will be charged for assault in the criminal Court. Because you are an NHL player, you are above the rules? C'mon! This circus has to stop for once and for all!

The NHL needs to show some firm command and impose something that will make the players thinking twice before acting stupidly like many seems to be doing this year... Something has to happen too for teams who support that kind of action, like the Philadelphia Flyers...

30 game suspension. YES!! He should not b able to play in the NHL again - is he going to be allowed to play until someone gets hit the wrong way and dies. then it will b too late - this kind of behaviour has to be stopped.

Am i the only person who thinks Simon's punishment is not severe enough? He should be banned from ever playing in the NHL again. He has proven for the umpteenth time that his anger is uncontrollable and he cannot be trusted. If i were playing in the NHL i would hope never to play against such a goon and would be very vocal about it. What i find most troubling is that if he were not able to skate, he would probably be doing time for assault and battery by now. I am officially disgusted with the league and am losing interest in following it.

Re: "NHL makes right call on Simon"

Spare me the angst over Simon. Given it's the eighth time he's received suspensions for various acts of goonery, just what would it require for Simon to be suspended for the remainder of the year at a minimum. Dance on Ruutu's neck with his blades perhaps? What a sorry spectacle, small wonder the NHL can't give the game away in the U.S.

At the age of 35, he is peaking for a career. The 30 game suspension would pose the question to Management whether to further invest in someone who clearly doesn't have the acumen to realize he had it good. Alot of good rookies out there that can have more potential than what Simon can provide as a return.

I have to admit that I usually don't follow hockey that closely until the playoffs but this incident obviously caught my interest, mostly because I share the same concerns others have about these types of incidents and the message they send. Therefore, I have to ask Scott Morrison how he goes from saying "Simon should be suspended indefinitely by the NHL, meaning at least through the remainder of the season, and be forced to ask for re-instatement by commissioner Gary Bettman and Campbell" yesterday, to saying 30 is a good number today?

While I am one who feels that 30 games is at the low end of reasonable for the offense, I do have to wonder: loss of impulse control is one of the symptoms of certain classes of brain injury, an injury type consistent with repeated concussion in some cases. Chris Simon has had concussions as a result of his style of play, and his behavior appears to have worsened over the years as these have accumulated.
Is Mr. Simon as much a victim of the NHL's willful ignoring of the concussion problem as he is a victimizer of Ruutu?
Either way, the game cannot afford to have him involved, but if I am guessing right, no amount of counseling will ever be able to make him employable as a hockey player again anywhere, perhaps employable at all. Before Mr. Simon is re-instated as a player, he needs to spend some time with a neurologist, and he is not alone, there are a few other players, not all of them from the Flyer's, who likely need to do the same.

I've wanted to stomp Ruutu a number of times myself but I wouldn't. What Simon did was criminal and should go in front of a judge. He lacks the ability to act reasonably and needs help conforming to society.

I repeat the question I asked yesterday; why, when it comes to permanently suspending players, is the NHL so useless? If they say they are getting tough with this type of behaviour they should show it. In comparison, the NHL is kind of like the hockey equivalent of the Canadian Justice System; soft! I have to disagree with Scott Morrison and say that Simon should be barred from hockey...forever...period! This guy has a record of this type of behaviour should not be allowed to continue. Previous disciplinary actions haven't helped, what makes this time so different?

Chris Simon obviously needs help.
However, he is ultimately responsible for his actions and the NHL had to enact some form of punsihment. Whether 30 games is appropriate considering Simon's past and present behaviour is open for debate.
I do feel that the NHL's reponse is missing on two important elements. 1) How will the league insure that he gets the help he needs? 2) How will the league protect the safety of other players on the ice once the suspension is over.
Staying off the ice for 30 games does not equal counselling. For Chris Simon's sake (as well as the rest of the league) ongoing professional help should be a prerequisite of returning to play

I'm sorry, but no way do I think that 30 games was enough. The facts remain that Simon has a history of dirty play and disregard for his fellow players. Consider this violent act. It's one which could quite easily have resulted in court action. I think that Simon should have been done at least for the regular season, if not the year.

7 times? 8 times? How many times before a guy like this is banned forever?

I think Chris Simon needs help. Maybe some help counting those loonies earned playing a game. When athletes feel they are bigger than the game it is time to take up knitting. On the other hand it is too bad celebrities do not realize that dispite all their great contributions to their chosen craft the fickle public remembers them best for their melt downs.

I agree with Jackie! Chris Simon should definitely contact someone on the Flyers staff. He would fit in great with the Flyers original, cheap, low-lying playing!

I think Chris Simon should have had the rest of the year off to ensure that that any help he gets will actually be effective. In line with the previous writer's comment: He is in the same league as Bertuzzi...

Chris Simon should never play in the NHL again. It would be fitting for him to be in front of a judge like his "brother in crime Bertuzzi." Colin Campbell Is delusional if he thinks Simon deserves yet another chance. Perhaps it's time Campbell passes the job over to someone not quite so senile.

This comment is made on lighter spirits. If there is a chance the Islanders don't want Chris Simon as part of their organization anymore, Chris can always apply for a job with the Philadelphia Flyers. =)