Chris Simon had no one but himself to blame until NHL vice-president Colin Campbell had a revealing slip of the tongue during a conference call with reporters on Wednesday to discuss the record 30-game suspension he levied against the Islanders enforcer for his attempt to injure Pittsburgh’s Jarkko Ruutu.
Asked about Simon’s agreement with Islanders owner Charles Wang to seek counseling in an effort to understand what made him snap for the second time in nine months after hitting the Rangers’ Ryan Hollweg with his stick in March, Campbell was recorded saying he hoped it would help Simon to meet with “the drug and alcohol, uh, uh, those doctors.” NHL spokesman Frank Brown quickly clarified that the doctors who deal with substance abuse under the NHL/NHLPA agreement also handle behavioral issues.
But the “stereotyping” horse was out of the barn. The gut reaction of Islanders coach Ted Nolan, who described Campbell’s assumption as “sickening” was understandable. Like Simon, Nolan is a member of Canada’s First Nation, and while they have seen first-hand the problems of drug and alcohol abuse within their ethnic community, the broad labeling of everyone who shares that heritage with the “drunken Indian” stereotype is stomach-turning.
It was necessary for Islanders spokesman Chris Botta to issue a statement confirming that “drugs and alcohol is not an issue” for Simon. Campbell called Islanders general manager Garth Snow to clear the air. There’s no doubt Campbell regrets his slip-up today, just as Simon must regret the racial slur he directed at Edmonton’s Mike Grier, who is black, in 1997.
Still, Nolan was left wondering about what he called an “excessive” penalty. If Simon’s actions are viewed as an isolated case, then, Campbell had reason to increase the penalty from 25 games for the Hollweg incident to 30 games for the Ruutu incident based on the fact Simon is a repeat offender serving his seventh suspension in a 15-year NHL career. Apparently, the message isn’t getting through to him.
But when Simon’s actions are viewed in the broad context of all the violent incidents in NHL history, it’s fair to question the level of his punishment. Ottawa goaltender Ray Emery got only three games for a stick-swinging incident last season. Anaheim defenseman Chris Pronger got only one game last season for stepping on another player with his skate blade.
Injuries resulting from such incidents always have been a factor in determining the punishment. Yet Hollweg, who received two stitches to the chin, and Ruutu both played in their next game before Simon’s disciplinary hearings even took place. Considering that Todd Bertuzzi got only 20 games for a vicious hit from behind that effectively ended Steve Moore’s career, yes, you could say Simon’s punishment is excessive.
When it comes to assessing penalties, NHL justice has been all over the map. Obviously, the league has tried over the past two seasons to be tougher on hockey crime, handing out stiffer penalties for dangerous hits. That’s laudable because the intent to injure is as important as the injuries inflicted.
And that’s where Simon’s problems lie. In the Hollweg case, there was clear provocation. Simon was hit from behind, driven into the glass and later diagnosed with a concussion. It wasn’t surprising that he responded. There was no obvious provocation in the Ruutu case, and if Simon perceived some slight, he had no business responding the way he did.
So, the real question comes down to the nature of Simon’s response in both cases. If he was upset and wanted revenge, why didn’t he just drop the gloves?
That’s the time-honored method and NHL-sanctioned way of standing up for one’s rights. As a career enforcer, Simon certainly knows how to handle himself in those situations and is fully capable of delivering payback.
Just drop the gloves.
The fact Simon didn’t do that in either situation and that he responded in a vicious and inappropriate manner both times is the disturbing aspect of his case. Campbell had to do what he had to do, and Simon must suffer those consequences, which include the loss of $292,683 in pay.
But Wang’s move to urge Simon to seek counseling might, in the long run, be the best thing that could happen for him. Simon has to find his own answers to some very serious questions. Questions that could haunt him for the rest of his life if he doesn’t confront them honestly.
Comments (93)
Greg,
During the press conference last night, I was wondering WHY someone brought this up - now I know. I had not heard about this before I left for the game because I was rushing around having gotten home from work late.
It all makes sense now - and I hope for everyones sake that Campbell made an honest slip up and isn't doing damage control himself now.
good job handling a delicate situation very deftly and professionally, greg. times like these are when your job is more than 'sportswriting' right?
Campbell has and always will hate the NYI orgainzation. I cannot stand that man! Now others can finally see him for the moron he is !!!
HOW ABOUT A PUBLIC APOLOGY !!!
Even better how about he laces up his skates and goes a round with Mr. Simon!
Steady hit it right on the head, as usual. I'll repost my comment that I posted to the NY Times hockey blog as I'm too tired to rehash the whole thing:
*********
This 30-game suspension is bringing coals to Newcastle. Colin Campbell should have recognized that the Islanders had handled this swiftly and correctly in-house and no official suspension from the NHL was really necessary for this “incident”, but I understand some sanction should have been imposed for deterrent effect.
The proper punishment should have been 5 games tacked on to the end of however long the Islanders are planning to keep Simon out of the lineup. The team suspension is surely punishment enough for Si.
This is yet another salvo by the NHL, who has had it out for the upstart Islanders from the beginning, against the franchise. Colin Campbell’s resume needs no embellishing when it comes to his anti-Islander bona fides. The suits in Toronto will miss no opportunity to stick it to the Islanders, who they want to move off the Island as soon as possible. If it wasn’t for Uncle Charles Wang, the NHL might have gotten their wish, but I say the Islanders are here to stay!!
************
Bottom line, the NHL and Campbell were wrong, wrong, wrong in their handling of this situation. Campbell's "rehab" comments were not only a shot at Simon, they were a shot at Teddy as well, and we know the league has it in for him as well.
Just another case where words are more damaging than actions. Seriously regrettable on the NHL's part. As far as the length of Simon's suspension: I'm certain it wouldn't have been as long had there not been so many before it. I don't believe there is an underlying conspiracy against the Islanders by the NHL brass.
Campbell is an idiot, BUT, for the first time, I find myself seriously questioning Nolan on an issue.
IMHO, he should not have made any comments about the suspension being "excessive," and while he was quick to minimize Campbell's apology as somewhat unworthy because it was "after the fact"--basically the same thing Chris Simon (gee, I'm sorry) has been doing through 8 suspensions. People are free to disagree with me and/or havea differnt take, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
As for the game, it was enough to make me give up my season tickets. Traffic for the 7 p.m. start took me 2 hours and 15 minutes to get there from lower Manhattan and the place was empty--so obviously, since the 7 pm starts are designed solely for the kids as stated by guest relations, the 7 pm starts are a wonderful draw for the little people who don't have jobs and don't buy the tickets.
And what can you say about the game! Buffalo put in one of the worst efforts I've seen all year and comes away with two points because nobody on the Islanders can score. The sense of dread that came over the crowd when Witt broke his stick on the final GW PP was palpable.
I'm generally optimistic, but as many of you noted, we are what we are--and winning will require a great effort every night, soft goals on the other side, and no bad goals by DP because we are unlikely to score more than 3 ourselves.
My verdict is almost in: I don't want to watch this group of players unless they are building towards positive contributions in the future. Trade Comrie to some team with more talent where he doesn't have to think on the ice, move Satan anywhere, send Hilbert to Bridgeport where he may learn how to score again, and let Walter, Nielson, Comeau, Colliton, Reiger, Dubie, and Tamby play at the NHL level and learn to be Nolan players for next year.
Btw, I reserve thr right to chnage my mind tomorrow, but it's no fun being an Islander fan today.
If I'm not mistaken, on one or two shifts prior to the incident, Simon and a Penguin player (and I believe it was Rutuu) were entangled like wrestlers on the ice for an extended period away from the play, and when the Penguin finally got back to his skates, Simon extended both of his skates in a kicking motion at the Penguin's chest, but missed. If it was Rutuu, it would indicate that the incident by the bench was not 'out of the blue.' But whether it was Rutuu or not, it demonstrates that Simon is a man with uncontrollable and dangerously violent temper. I hope and expect that he won't be lacing up for the Islanders or any other team in the NHL ever again. --from an Islander fan since 1972.
Merrick:
Do you think starting games at 7:30 would get more people into the Coliseum? It kills me when I see all those empty seats because I can't get to games anymore, but it's not like there are 10,000 people every night who show up in the second period. The stands got more full as the game went on, but it's got to be demoralizing for the players to see all those empty seats.
Unfortunately, I don't see how it's going to get any better without a new stadium in place. I love the old barn but this isn't the 80s, there is so much more for individuals and families to do that you really need to maximize the night out at the arena; it can't be just the product on the ice. Which is sad, but it's a fact of life.
I never like to bag on players, but Comrie puts forth zero effort every time he steps on the ice. Maybe he's just not used to Eastern Conference hockey but when he's out there it looks like there are three teams working, the Isles, their opponents, and Comrie. That drives me nuts, especially when players like Park and Sillinger are giving 110% every shift.
Finally, I hope I didn't just read you calling for more PT for Wade Dubielewicz...while we all like Dubie, Rick DiPietro is singlehandedly keeping the Islanders competitive these days. Everything else I wholeheartedly agree with, including the cold chill I got when Witt's stick broke and he was out there playing wrong-handed with Hunter lumber. Good God, and then they lost Afinogenov and DP had no chance. The worst loss of the season so far, IMO.
On the Kyle thing:
1, He was not getting along with Lucia and the team has not played well
2.More money and more girls
3.Playing in the NHL
4. Can go to any college he wants and it is most likely in the contract that the Isles will pay for it
5. We go to Minn. in Feb and beat them bad. We bring up Kyle for that one game b/c of them blaming us.
6. Tambs/Kyle play same line in the bridge. Come up next summer and play on a line in the NHL on our team.
7. Who cares about the Gophers anyway.
8. We trade for a high 1st round pick to fill out the Kyle/Tambs line
9. I am over the Simon thing already. Forget about him and think about the future
10. Can not wait to get his jersey.
11. I hope he is not a bust
12. Andy Hilbert can not shoot
I would like to confirm #7....nobody cares about the Gophers.
This whole situation around the team just gets weirder and weirder. The effort is there, but the goals aren't. We need to take some steps
to try to score goals, and giving the kids a shot is as good an idea as any right now.
Bring back Simon!!
Bring back Simon!!
Bring back Simon!!
Given Simon's past issues with alcohol, you can never rule it out. However, it's still irresponsible to mention that when nobody else has discussed it.
Hockey Guru? Now that made me laugh.
If you all want to know what REALLY causes injuries and horrible incidents in the NHL, It is the pests.....They are the ones that needle, needle, needle, yet will never drop the gloves when it comes down to it! Unless of course their enforcer is on the ice or it someone weaker.
Ruutu, Tucker, Barnaby, Fleury, Hollwig, and of course AVON AVERY..........Ever notice EVERY major injury or suspension these guys are involved in one way or another. They yap and yap...They hit from behind....They threaten to injure and than skate away.
You would get frustrated as well.
I have no further comments on the Simon issue.
He's done (okay I lied).
Merrick, I am all over your most recent post re Campbell/Nolan/Start time/Sense of Dread/Changing your mind.
SPOT ON.
Nautika,
Re KO-
Add nbr 13, grades were probably gonna make him ineligible to play for the Gophers next semester when he came back from the JWC. The NCAA still enforces those things. I firmly believe the kid came back to MN this year with half a heart, based on local pressures to return, and "subconsciously" put himself into a situation where he could not return next semester.
Remember, this is still a kid we are talking about. (I should know, I had one go through D-1 sport's pressures)
St. Nick,
Re NBR 7,
Nobody on LI cares about the Gophers, but rest assured that if the Gophers lose their next 8 games, they will still play to a sold out Mariucci Arena, even on a night when the Wild are playing, the T-Wolves are playing, every one of a dozen or so small colleges are playing (to sellout crowds) and the State HS Championships are playing in a soldout St Paul Civic Center.
There are hockey fans and then there are Minnesota Hockey Fans.
Logan,
Can we please put the Simon issue to bed?
No more articles/comments, please?
The guy brought this on himself. NO ONE ELSE IS TO BLAME.
Not Campbell, Not Nolan, Not Wang, Not the fans, Not Hollweg, Not Ruttu.
The Isles have bigger issues facing them and this Simon thing, ONCE AGAIN, is simply a GD +&%$#& DISTRACTION.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
BRING ON THE KIDS!!!
505, I was well aware people care about the Gophers, just as a rival of my team I feel the need to needle them. Whenever I hear them complain about people leaving I just want to put THOMAS VANEK in huge letters, sit back, and watch the fur fly.
I think the thought of Okposo half-heartedly going back to Minnesota is bang-on. That, combined with playing him out of position, put him in an untenable situation, and I wouldn't at all be surprised if he thought sabotaging himself grade-wise was the only way he'd be able to get out this year. And as people said he's admitted he was dissatisfied with Lucia as a coach....This is why it infuriates me that Lucia indirectly accused the Islanders of tampering. I can't imagine the Islanders were happy with how Minnesota was using Okposo this year, but I also can't imagine that's the first instance in which an NHL club who owns a player's rights disagrees with a college's decision. Let's try to be reasonable here and not fan the flames. I'm sure this team will get enough hate thrown its way when we go to Minnesota in February.
As for Anon, I would be in favor of sinking anything as long as you're on it and go down too. I saw 1 person talk about bringing back Simon, and by the name it doesn't even seem to me that it was an actual fan. Steady has supported Simon, yes, but I don't think anyone thinks what he did in this instance was right or justified. I still never want to see him lace up the skates for our team, ever again. However, if he truly has problems, I hope he gets help, because as much as I don't want him to play for us again I also don't want him to turn up dead somewhere.
Simon deserved the 30 games, and maybe more just based on his own history of suspensions. Taking the incident singularly and comparing it with the fact that Ruutu wasn't injured and based on what other players have gotten for similar infractions he probably deserved maybe 3 or 5 games. That is where Nolan is correct about the length of Simon's suspension.
However, where Nolan is wrong is you have to consider Chris' history. Simon has consistently showed disregard for other players that he shares a priveledge of playing in the NHL with. Simon is only lucky that Wang is a compassionate man, and that Campbell didn't give him the rest of the season off. It was Campbell's duty to take action against Simon independent of what Mr. Wang so graciously offered to Chris Simon.
That said, this doesn't let Campbell off the hook as far as my impression of his previous distribution of justice against other Islanders players or players that have done something against the Islanders as opponents. Steady and Matt from Quebec are dead on when it comes to their assessment of Cambell's obvious discrimintory view of the Islanders organization.
If you take every incident that has involved the Islanders or an opponent of the Islanders that required review since Cambell has been the discipline czar I'm sure on a bar graph you'll see a huge difference in sway. Infact I think the Islanders front office should look into that by hiring an independent accounting firm and see if their is an obvious discrepancy between what the Isles receive in discipline vs. other teams. Then see if any of that translates into a negative impact of the on ice product and fan base. Then the Islanders could argue as a business that because of a less than impartial judge (Colin Cambell) over the years it has been a part of a negative financial impact of the team.
I'm certainly not blaming the Islanders' woes on Colin Campbell .. but year after year he is one of the boots on the back of the head of the team when the flood waters rise every season to drown out the hopes of the team. It's no secret that as coach of the Rangers he's had a very fiery relationship with the Islanders organization & Mike Milbury, but his obvious distaste for the Islanders hasn't ended with the exit of MM.
I wonder if season ticket holders for a sports team can even file a class action suit against a league for de-valuing the product that they pay for? In some cases I'm sure it can be juststified.
All that said ... the Islanders have bigger problems than Colin Campbell. I'll make a seperate post as to what I think hurts the Islanders ... and a possible solution. Some of those things have been said before, but I think deserves another mention.
BTW ... this is the 7th time I'm trying to send this post. It says: Too many comments have been submitted from you in a short period of time. Please try again in a short while. Invalid Security Code entered. Please go back and enter correct code.
This is annoying, ridiculous and unfounded since I haven't posted last night. I'm too busy for this crap. This security code is meant to prevent mindless troll postings and yet I still see them. I think your security code idea needs to be tweaked a bit Newsday.
19 ISLE in NJ 22: i had the same issue with posting. i had to break up one of my posts for it.
Simon Incident is over, lets not talk about it..30 games.ok. he is done most likely for season.
We got Kyle coming to us and we still are going on about Simon. Lets talk it about Kyle and what people think.
13. Kyle's gpa for the 07 Fall semester .85.
14. Andy Hilbert still can not score.
Thanks Anonymous! I've done pretty well at life so far but it's nice to know I have you in my corner now.
Steady, that's why the instigator rule needs to be thrown out, so someone can pound on those useless wastes of space like Tucker, Claude Lemieux, Hollweg, Chris Neil, Avery, Barnaby (gee, a lot of Rangers on that list) when they act up. Simon knew no one was going to stick up for him but Simon, so he took matters into his own hands.
Obviously it's not good to swing a stick at another player or kick them with your skate--I play hockey, too, and I know where the line is, and Si crossed it. But the problem here is not with Simon, it's with the rules governing instigator/third man in and those need to be changed so disputes can be settled with fists and not sticks. Old-time hockey.
In re: Okposo, it's sort of unsettling that this is the first we're hearing about some negative character issues. I hope he is more mature than the recent pub, and I think it's a great move at this point to get him some shifts as a professional. At worst, he can play at Bridgeport this season, I wouldn't mind moving him at the deadline with a couple of defensive prospects for an elite scorer.
19 ISLE, well said--the two Simon incidents were overblown horribly by sports and traditional media, and became PR fiascos for the Islanders. That doesn't help when you are trying to put fannies in the seats.
I've also had the "too many posts" problem, Newsday webmasters...
I'm getting killed by the "too many posts" as well. I applaud Newsday for taking a step but this appears to not be the correct step.
I'm also concerned with the questions about Okposo's makeup, but let's remember Aesop's old fable. The fox could not jump high enough to reach the grapes, so he rationalized his failure by saying it was for the best since the grapes were likely sour. I'm sure you notice these are all new concerns from Gopher fans. These are people who feel betrayed by Okposo and are now, after the fact and with bitterness toward him, trying to question his makeup or anything else to rationalize his decision to leave. The kid is 19 years old and had to deal with both pressure and changes this year. How many of us when we were 19 handled that as well as we could? Let's keep this to its most basic level: Kyle Okposo is signing with the Islanders to continue his development as a hockey player. We'll let the opinion-makers outside the State of Minnesota comment on his makeup.
Why the Islanders find themselves in the situation they are in year after year?
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Part 1 of 2.
Strengths:
Ownership: You can say what you want about Charles Wang. However if it wasn't for him the NY Islanders will have gone the way of the Kansas City Scouts and Winnipeg Jets. Wang is willing to put up his own money for the Light House Project ... very rare for ownership of sports teams these days.
Die Hard Fan Base: Great things come in small packages. Probably one of the most dedicated passionate fans in all of sports along with the likes of Cubbie fans and 49er fans. This isn't an attendence issue... it's based on fan dedication and die hard fan base support. Other fans of NHL teams (sans Rangers) always recongnize die hard Islander fans' game knowledge and fiery team support.
History: There is no denying that the dynasty years still have a postive impact on the team to this day. It has an impact on fan interaction with the team, attendence and still financially benefits the organization.
Hope: Islander fans as negative as things may get at times have a sense of hope that things will be better. We don't demand instant Stanely Cup contension year after year via free agent pickups and trades. We know how a dynasty was built and do not support mortgaging a long term future for a flash in the pan shot. Note: I think we tried that last year.
DiPietro: He is a long term commodity, fan favorite and all-star level goaltender.
Nolan: Although I do disagree with his blind support of Simon, and his selective favoritism to certain players ... I believe his positives outweigh the negatives. We all were ready to give him coach of the year honors when the Isles were winning. He isn't the reason for most of the losses so I'm willing to keep him in the positive spotlight for now.
Players with heart: There are a group of players on the Islanders that play their best most of the time. I don't have to mention all of them by name because if you read this blog & watch the games you have a sense of who those players are.
That is it for the Strengths for now ... I'll mention more sometime as the issues arise. My next post later in the day will be the Weaknesses.
Again ... a ridiculous amount of times (7) to get something to post .. I keep getting the same security code to enter and obviously this code is no good.
Matt from Quebec:
I find a bit off with your logic on attendance and the 7:00 pm start. If you know you are not going to be able to get to the game until the second period, why would you invest your money? You can make the argument about being a good fan would do it anyway but to me its like paying full price to walk in on the second half of a movie.
The true die hards will always show up, but I think a 7:30pm start time on weeknights would enable more fans working in the city to make it to the game on time. I don't think this would completely reverse the lacking attendance but its one step in many to turn this issue around.
Regarding the start times, note that while most Islander fans live on Long Island, a large chunk do not work there. That being the case, it would stand to reason that the Isles fan commute TO the Coliseum from work would be far longer than the commute FROM the Coliseum to home after the game.
Noting that, I'd change the start times to AT LEAST 7:30p, maybe even 8:00p. During the Cup years, all home night games were at 8:00p, and I don't remember there being attendance issues then. I work in midtown, and as a diehard Isles fan, I have to leave work around 5:30 to jump on a train to Westbury or Hempstead. Most people, including me, can't do that. Make the start time 8:00, and people like me would have some time to get out there, plus if you're already out there, you can grab a bite between work and the game. The kid issue really isn't effective, because I don't see many children w/ bedtimes at weeknight games anyway.
Does anyone know how do that skate chomp on Playstation 3? I have been trying to figure it out during my break of counting my $$$$$$. AROD
Matt from Que-
I don't want Dubie to take over, but I don't want DP killing himself playing 70 games with this cast of characters.
As for attendance at 7 pm versus 7:30 games, I have no clue. I do know that I have been told repeatedly that the majority of ticket holders like the earlier times due to kids. I also know that 1) for the time being I'm very luck to be able to escape my office at 4:30 or 5 pm to make it to a game on time; 2) that traffic is most brutal from 5 - 6:30 p.m. and eases after that time and 3) that getting to the NVMC was MUCH easier last year with starting times at 7:30. Even on sluggish nights, I could make it from Southern Westchester in less than an hour and sometimes 45 minutes after 6:00 p.m. That timing is totally impossible for a 7 pm start. Even if you live on the Island, I'm sure the 7 pm start is start for those many fans I know working in Manhattan or surrounding areas. It can take an hour to reach NVMC just from Shea Stadium at that time.
And lastly, even if want to take a train from Manhattan, the Isles provide no easy way to reach and get back to the LIRR.
I know I'm beating a dead horse on this and weekday games drew bady with 7:30 starts last year--but at least the overall experience was more relaxing than the freenzy to reach a 7 pm game--to see a team that ultimately stinks!
AROD: ITS CALLED THE A TOWN STOMP. SIMON LEARNED IT BY WATCHING THE VIDEO
Nautika-
My bad - Not down with the LI lingo.
Hockey Guru,
Paranoia?? Mebbe.
But nothing is more effective than an "us against the world" team mentality.
I really don't know about Campbell, but Al Trautwig would have to KMA to convince me otherwise. And that's not my opinion, that's a FACT.
St Nick
According to my sources, the MN press/media is going bananas this morning led by Lou "Punch Drunk" Nanne, the self appointed hockey god in MN who is on every portal lambasting the Isles.
Which gives me reason to schedule a family reunion for the Wild/Isles game in Feb with my soon to be acquired brand new Isles Okposo jersey.
I just have to convince my in-laws to sit in the "real seats" rather than some anonymous luxury box so I can challenge the MN education system and engage in some quality mental and verbal gymnastics.
Nautika,
I had to LOL at your nbr 13 AND especially 14.
St. Nick (again)
Aesop's Fables??
It's just barely noon out here.
I'd be more inclined to enlist Mr. Peabody and Sherman to send Snow and Wang on the Wayback Machine to take over the team circa 1990 after Torrey left. AND FIX THE MISTAKES MADE BY DOLAN, SPANOS, MILBURY ET.AL.
St. Nick,
Here's a solution to the issues of the day, I.E. Simon and Minnesota hating the Isles.
My guess is that Simon has some D-1 eligibility left.
Let's have Wang scholarship him at U of M for next semester, and he can replace KO on Lucia's roster.
Simon simply has to take and PASS the following "self awareness" coursework:
http://onestop2.umn.edu/programCatalog/viewCatalogProgram.do?programID=53&strm=1073
Collin Campbell admitted in 1997 that he hated the Isles. They beat him BADLY in his one chance for a cup in 82. Then as coach of the Rags in 97 said: " There is no team or orgaization I dislike more!"
He was once nicknamed Sherrif. Until of course Gillies beat him like a rag doll. He was a GOON himself!
Guru....you are pathetic. oh and clueless!
Mr. Wang - is not to far off the mark with his comment. According to the above site, Chris being a "recovering Alcholic" and a role model to other native kids. God help us if we were to use this guy as a guide to raise kids - And you wonder whats wrong with the world these days.
http://www.nativehockey.com/players/nhl/simon.html
Sorry Wang - my bad Colin Campbell was not far off the mark with his comments.
Quoted from the site (http://www.nativehockey.com/players/nhl/simon.html):
"Chris Simon has come a long way in the league. He entered the NHL back in 1992 with the Quebec Nordiques, primarily as a tough guy. However, Simon had been a scorer in Juniors, so it was only a matter of time before this tough guy found his groove and became one of the best offensive enforcers in the league.
After winning a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996, Chris signed with the Washington Capitals, moved to the Rangers, Blackhawks, Calgary and now the Islanders where he has been reuinted with his junior coach, Ted Nolan.
Since he broke into the league, Simon has been highly regarded by the Native American community, especially as a role model for Native youth. He is a recovering alcoholic, hopes that he is a positive example for Native kids to follow. Chris has said that he likes to spend his free time hunting and fishing. "
>>But the “stereotyping” horse was out of the barn.
C'mon Greg, gimme a break! It's entirely possible, if not probable, that Campbell misspoke as he did because it's perfectly natural for one to assume that drugs or alcohol are involved when someone consistently, time in and time out, and despite the constant scrutiny that his actions have brought, acts like a mindless thug as Simon has. Why would you assume that his faux pas was for any other reason? Because Ted Nolan said so? Why don't you think about it for a few minutes before just mindlessly trumpeting the company line?
As I sit here watching Colin Campbell the player lose to the Isles, I do wonder about his feelings....
The Isles have never been a heavyweight within NHL circles, even when they were winning Cups (many officials in the mostly-Caandian NHL of that era did not like them because they were American). I think Simon's sentence might have been less had he been a member of a team that has more impact in the board room -- though given SImon's history, it could also have been worse.
As for Okposo: It is very unusual for a player to leave for the NHL in midseason. NHL teams usually don't poach college players in-season. What will be interesting is to find out who made the approach, the Isles or Kyle (I suspect he did).I talked to him at rookie camp (nice kid), and he said he and the Isles both thought another year at Minny would help him. I suspect a few months under Lucia and his staff may have changed that.
Suppose Simon had stomped down on Sidney Crosby's foot instead of Jarko Ruutu? I bet he would have gotten at least 50 games, if not an entire season ban, (and it could've happened too since they were playing the Pens & the Isles were getting agitated about Sid not getting anything called against him by the refs too).
I wonder what the reaction would've been had Simon cut Crosby's or Malkin's foot, knocking them out for the year. I'm sure they'd be burning Chris in effigy or trying to overturn his Hummer as it was coming out of the ramp outside Nassau Coliseum. (Not taking anything away from the act itself or from Ruutu by the way. But you can be sure that had he done this horrible & cowardly act to a "star" player, the reaction by both fans & the league would have been more severe.
Mark Recchi's Stats since Atlanta picked him up and the Islanders passed since they are loaded with goal scorers:
4 Games
3 Goals
1 Assist
4 Points
And we have Andy Hilbert!!!!!!! Nice
Of course, Recchi has Kovalchuk, Hossa, Holik & Slava Kozlov playing around him. Put him on the Isles & he'd have 0 goals & 1 assist in 4 games since Hilbert would probably be on the same line with him.
Fred ~
I thought the same exact thing when I saw Recchi's stats ... then realized Comrie started out with 6 points in 2 games ... and Recchi has offensive players to play with as Hilbert Hears A Who mentioned above.
So it doesn't translate to Isles success IMO.
Alan -
You asked... "Why would you assume that [Simon's] faux pas was for any other reason [other than drugs/alcohol]?"
That's one of the most idiodic statements I've ever read or heard. Are you kidding me? Someone's got a recurring problem controlling their temper and you say it HAS to be drugs or alcohol?
So let's see... The 18 year old kid who routinely gets the snot beat out of him by his unemployed dad is getting into repeated fights in school because... why?!?!?!? Drugs and alcohol?!?!?!?
How about the guy with a wife battling cancer who periodically has to deal with the emotional fall-out from bad test results and toxic treatments. If he occasionally gets the feeling that he wants to puch somebody out of blind anger - and sometimes follows thru, he does so because why?!?!?!? Drugs and alcohol?!?!?!?
Give me and everyone else a break. Go post your assine comments somewhere else.
Cincy -
>>"Why would you assume that [Simon's] faux pas was for any other reason [other than drugs/alcohol]?"
Don't you dare change my text and then criticize me for something I didn't write!!!! I was talking about [Campbell], not [Simon], you [jerk]! If you bothered to read the rest of the paragraph, [maybe] you might have realized that.
Tried posting this last night but got rejected too many times.
"Wasn't there something up on the Isles website recently, an interview of some sort with Garth where he said he would be seeing Okposo in the coming weeks? I don't get the comments from the UM coach about the position this kid was put in? Did Garth go up there with Paulie Walnuts and Syl and threaten the kid's life?
Hardly...if the report on TSN is right (cough), he wanted to go pro before the season. And from what I remember, the Isles encouraged him to stay in collegiate hockey. Now, they are suddenly the bad guys - even though the UM coach said Okposo is acheiving his dream. .I am sure the coach would have done it back in his day if given the chance - mid-season or not.
If this kid is chomping at the bit and the Isles come with an offer, why wouldn't he take it. And if potentially offered an immediate roster spot (I really do hope they did, but that's for later) and a bag of cash? Like someone said earlier, tell me any 20 year old (including those on the Gophers) that wouldn't do this if given the chance. And if Snow is pumping him up and giving this kid an opportunity to be the offenseive face of this franchise for at least the next three years, he would be silly to stay put.
And for that matter, if Snow pointed out that his value could conceivably drop if his mediocre performance continued (or somehow he could receive the most for his services by signing now), who cares - Garth is a business man now, and has to do what it takes. I would have done the same thing to get a prospect as highly touted as Okposo on to my team sooner than later. It is happening all over - look at the Blackhawks draft picks that have been immediately put on the roster and are making an impact. And hey not for anything, but look at DP (what did he play one season of college hockey before beind drafted). I know he didn't make an immediate impact, but Okposo isn't the first and won't be the last to leave college early.
And I feel no worse for the Gopher fans because it is mid-season. Again, the kid's chance is now. If after a season and a half they (including the coach) are so disappointed to see Okposo go, I take that as a great sign of his abilities. Not to mention they are probably pissed because this decision just set their hockey program back a year or two. So, instead of whining, they should buck up like the Isles did for the last 1.5 seasons with this kid playing college hockey and not developing in the AHL for a season. If he is that good, all the better he is coming now. And shouldn't the Gophers and their fans be happy that yeat another great NHL prospect played for their program at all? How about a little respect of his decisions instead of beind so selfish?
So with all that, I pose my question: is this kid ready for the NHL? Is he as good as they say he is (never seen him other than highlights)? If so, is there any reason to let him play a single minute in Bridgeport? HELL NO. Bring him up, let him cut his teeth with the big boys, and let's hope it sparks something big - or even small, like four wins in a row. I'll take that right now over continuing to watch this team struggle putting pucks in the net, especially on nights like tonight when the chances were there and they just don't have the talent to bury them (Miller is just not that good in my opinion)."
Alan -
That's a load of BS, and you know it.
Here's what you said, copied and pasted directly from your post...
"it's perfectly natural for one to assume that drugs or alcohol are involved when someone consistently, time in and time out, and despite the constant scrutiny that his actions have brought, acts like a mindless thug as Simon has. Why would you assume that his faux pas was for any other reason? "
Here's my citation of your last sentence...
"Why would you assume that [Simon's] faux pas was for any other reason [other than drugs/alcohol]?"
You gonna tell me I changed the context of your last sentence? That I changed the meaning? The intent? You can't. It was a stupid statement when you wrote it. Just because I parenthetically inserted a proper noun for a pronoun and parenthetically paraphrased earlier text to provide context doesn't change that fact. Nor does referring to me as a "jerk".
What you said is still unbelievably stupid.
Well said from THE MONTGOMERY INN !!! ;)
Go get em Cincy!
I'm having the posting problem as well, or I would have chimed in long ago (the board applauds)
One angle that I haven't read so far is that Campbell has cost Simon over the last two incidents over 500K.
That's nothing to sneeze at. That is salary that is arbitrarily(?) re-allocated from Mr. Wang to some fund that we really don't know anything about.
This is not a COURT OF LAW, it's one man with an ax to grind. I really hope that Chris isn't guilted into accepting these terms without seeking legal advice. I understand that there are most likely provisions in the CBA that address such issues... but those things need to be addressed by NHLPA representatives, and he shouldn't be scapegoated.
Just my opinion.
Why the Islanders find themselves in the situation they are in year after year?
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Part 2 of 2.
Weaknesses:
Roster: Even though they have several players that play hard. Their talent level and age prohibit them from being able to go full throttle every night. With 3 games in 4 nights several times this season it is hard pressed to push it game in game out. They just don't have the talent to over come that.
NVMC: I'd be one of the first people to defend that great ole barn. When I've been there even for concerts ... I think of the great games I've seen under that roof. However, it isn't a money producing venue. As a visiting player it doesn't compare to other buildings, and really deters some players from wanting to join an organization that plays in an outdating building. As far as ammenities go ... I really don't know what hockey players get in other buildings that the Isles don't get ... So that would leave me scratching my head. As a fan ... I really only go there to see hockey ... I don't need the extra attractions. I guess fans with kids need some other family activities to keep the kids focused. I'm sure many of you other fans can add on to this. As I feel I only scratched the surface.
Recent History: There has been such an errosion of the organization's reputation over the last 12 years that it will be hard pressed to get Prime Time 5-Star UFA talent to play for the Islanders. As long as their is a perception of turmoil and other players around the league that have played for the team share their horror stories the Isles will find it hard to make those key pickups. Snolan has a huge job ahead of them to reverse that perception. I think they made a few strides the past year. However, MM gutted the team of any dignity.
Snow: I only include Snow here because I think he really stripped us of bargaining chips in that trade for Smyth. Yes, hind site is 20/20 and Snow didn't do it himself ... being they make decisions by committee. However Snow is the figure head and had his say. So he has to take the heat for the deal. He also was able to slap together a formidable lineup and make some underrated pickups in JoVas and Tank. Guerin was good too ... even with his lower performance. Comrie was a 1 year deal ... so it hasn't hurt us one way or the other either. I think though Snow will get better with experience. He's still better than MM.
Geography: Long Island may be long .. but it isn't very wide. So it's geographical influence can only extend so far ... and it's broadest area of influence capability is right in NYC. So there in lies as territorial boundry with the much longer established and well placed, smack dab in the middle of Manhattan, rival NY Rangers. Even beyond that just another 10 miles away are the NJ Devils. The NYR and NJD are two more successful teams the last 15 years creating an impenetrable artificial boundry. So as it stands ... the Isles only market to its smaller though densely populated geographical area. No way around this fact.
TV Deal: When the owner of the Isles in the late 80s made the current TV deal it was sweet and the best TV deal for local coverage that any team was able to get. It actually hurt the Mets from what I heard back in the day. I don't know the details of that however. Now ... the deal is horrible. It was made when Wayne Gretzky was the only millionaire in the NHL. Now .... 3rd line players are over 1M. So the TV deal does nothing to suppliment the Isles revenue. Even worse .... the company that owns the Isles TV rights also owns the rival NY Rangers!!!!! That deal should of neverrrrrrrr been allowed to go through. The Dolans should of been forced to sell their interest in FSNY / Sports Channel at the time of their purchase of the Rangers. When the deal went though I screamed that it was a horrible conflict of interest .... and today I standby it. Who in their right mind could even think that this doesn't interfere with the Islanders ability to market themselves and effectively promote themself in the market. When I see promos for the Rangers during an Islander broadcast I think how moronic a TV deal the Isles have. It is bad enough that hockey plays 4th fiddle to the other 3 major sports in the market ... but that 4th fiddle belongs to the Rags ... and that leaves the Isles with what is left over. Not to mention a 3rd team ... the Devils compete for that piece of the pie. I still wonder why the Devils were allowed to come to a market with TWO estabilshed NHL teams within a 40 miles of their arena in East Rutherford. Was it just to fill space in the arena?? I have no idea when their TV deal expires. I think it was a 30 year deal... I'm not sure.
Reputation: For some of the above reason, and of course their recent 10 year history the Isles get a bad rap. It makes it harder for players to want to come play on Long Island. Also being in the shadow of the hated Rags makes it hard to promote yourself with the ton of publicity the Rags get over the Isles. Lots of baggage.
Of course there is more ... and you guys can fill in the blanks.
I'll review some solutions later tonight ... feel free to add your own before I make that post.
D-Money,
"If so, is there any reason to let him play a single minute in Bridgeport? HELL NO. Bring him up, let him cut his teeth with the big boys, and let's hope it sparks something big "
Here's hoping the U.S. Team gets WAXED at the Juniors, and you and I get to see his Islander Debut in Colorado on Jan 5.
I am PLANNING on it.
JPinVA ... Good post ...
Some people may or maynot realize. The salary that Simon forfeits doesn't let the Islanders off the hook for that amount. The Islanders pay Simon's remaining salary into a discretionary fund, which I honestly have no idea what it is for. Is it just league revenues?
So the Isles pay Simon's remaining salary, are responsible for that portion of the cap and are left without his services... for what they were worth to begin with.
Also as others have posted. I think Steady was one of them Cambell HATES the ISLANDERS ... he said as a coach of the Rangers once that he enjoys every time he has the chance to make the Islanders, Mike Milbury and their fans miserable. When he was made the discipline czar I screamed at the Isles to protest. I even wrote the front office the old fashioned way by snail mail that they should request MSG to turn over that post game tape where he said that. I received no reply. If they aren't going to help themselves how else can they be helped?
21-year old Petri Nokeleinen now has more goals than Hilbert.
Why the Islanders find themselves in the situation they are in year after year?
This is a long read .. so if you want to skip it ... feel free ... I wouldn't hold it against you.
Some problems the Isles have are NHL problems ... so I haven't listed them here.
Some solutions:
Weakness~ Roster
Solution~ This is no quick fix. I think the Isles need to build up the youth corps. Getting Okposo to join the team speeds that up by 6 months. However, Okposo isn't the cure for all that ails the Isles. Look at the Pens and Caps... they have superstar youth in their lineups yet they still lack the pieces to dominate as the Wings have their opponents. Supplementing with FA talent once the core of the team has jelled and started showing signs of consistency. This may take a couple of years ... or ... the Isles can trade away more draft picks and go for it now ... only to get booted in the first round .... or maybe even the second round since DP seems capable of stealing a series. What would the Isles have to show for that?? Selling out two or three more home playoff games?? At what cost??
Weakness~ NVMC
Solution~ Well, we all know the solution for this... Getting the Lighthouse project off the proposal board and onto the approval board. I might be an outsider to Nassau County ... but what I need to know is.... what is the problem? Is it really just politics? I'm not going to pretend to know what is going on so I can only say... Getter Doneeeeee!!!
Otherwise ... the other shoe is going to drop and we may be hearing the name ... Kansas City Midlanders ... don't even think it is impossible. My friend in St. Paul Mn, never thought the North Stars were going to leave. He is still smarting from that ... especially since Dallas won the Cup.
An alternate solution??? Maybe do a development deal with the operators of the Belmont Race Track or the NY Mets in Queens?? They need to get something in place. I've been hearing whispers of a new arena since the SMG managment debacle with Mike Milbury complaining of deteriorating infrastructure when pieces of the building started falling down.
I envisioned NVMC being redone in a Roman Coliseum veneer or facade.. with 4 sections being dedicated to each of the 4 branches of the military in memorium. I don't know how that would float with liberal politicians in Nassau County ... but I think it would be a great tribute to our vets.
Bottom line ... a new building or a refurbished building needs to get done.
Weakness~ Recent History
Solution~ WIN .. even if it's by losing out this season. Addition by subtraction. The Islanders need to build a winning team by really dedicating their energy to the youth of the franchise. They have to pour more into the development and scouting of their future. Detroit spends a lot of resources scouting and developing. That is why they are able to put out a contender year after year. True .. they add a few star free agents .. but that is only to add a missing piece or two. They do not build via free agency and trades. They do it to fix a weakness. I think all of the players under 26 should be made the priority of the club. They should be identified as keepers, trade bait or just cut loose. The older players that produce should be used to enrich the youth and let them play out their contracts. If they are still useful ... resign them. If not ... let them go. We should never again sign a free agent over 30 unless they have difinitive skills and character to enrich the youth of the team. The Isles shouldn't be looked upon as a team for a payday. I think Guerin is a sample of the kind of grit and character the Isles need to show leadership to the young prospects. I just wish he'd stop taking dumb penalties.
Weakness~ Snow
Solution~ Experience. Snow has done a better job than MM. He did make one Major error in the Smyth trade for 2 prospects and a 1st rounder. Can't go back and fix it. I hope he learned his lesson. Also, as I said in the post identifiying him as a weakness ... that he doesn't bare all the responsibility in the committee system. I have hope for Snow in this capacity because he's shown he can bounce back. He also made some great under the radar acquisitions after the Isles UFA's were raided in July. JoVas, Sim (from what I saw), Tank and Guerin were good. Comrie ... he's trying to pull to many "Dean Youngblood" moves ( Ref: The movie: Youngblood). So Comrie isn't sitting well with me. However the 1 year signing ... might of been the right term.
Weakness~Geography
Solution~ What can you do when you are an Island? Throw some jerseys on the fishes? The Islanders have been marketing to Long Island their entire existance. However they have ignored a whole market place at the same time. Who cares that the Rangers own NYC or the Devils most of New Jersey North of Great Adventure??!! Those markets are ripe for hockey fans. Also, there are Islander fans strewn across this continent. True enough .. you can't get them to the games easy. However, doesn't the team make money off of merchandise?? Look at the Dallas Cowboys.. they've made tons of money off of being "America's Team" The Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders are part of that culture. The Isles have the Ice Girls ... and are the originators of ice girls. The Isles have Isles TV... We are in a global market in an internationally recognized sport. Look at our friend Piero in Europe ... he roots just as hard as AZS for the Isles .... minus flipping the bird of course.
Us fans that live far from the Coliseum shouldn't be ignored or alienated. The Isles should plow right through the virtual borders with the Ranger and Devils. Where I live is probably about 60 miles in a straight line from NVMC .. and about 75 miles driving distance through the heaviest traffic in the area. I could never be a season ticket holder because by the time I'd get there it would be the second period on weeknights. However extending their marketing to NJ, CT and Upstate NY fans would enlarge their sphere of infuence. Look at other NHL teams. Teams like St. Louis have an entire state and part of 2 other states to draw from. The Isles have an Island. They need to bully their way into the Devils and Rangers market share.
As far as long distance fans... they should get a hold of some tickets when they are visiting other teams ... and make the Isles fans of those cities feel part of the fan base. Like JPinVa for Isles at Caps .. the many Isles fans in Mass at the Bruins ... etc. Pre-game meal with the Isles ... who knows??
Only other way is to get some landfill and extend Long Island.
Weakness~ TV Deal
Solution~ When does this deal with Satan (Dolan) expire? When ever it does they should hook up with the Mets and SNY ... then blitz the market with promotions ... and have more control over the content ... take Isles TV to the airwaves (cable/satellite waves). Ice Works TV etc. I'm a Yankee Fan ... but I think the best thing for the Isles is to cross promote with the Mets ... a geographical advantage. The Isles being on MSG / Dolan owned FSNY is akin to the NY Americans playing in MSG .. which ended up driving the NYA to virtual bankruptsy during WW2, and the NYR blocked the Americans from being reinstated after WW2. Shows the Rangers have a history of being hostile business wise to their local rivals.
Part of the TV problem is an NHL problem. Overall media coverage. The Isles also need to get on free TV... like WPIX... offer to pay for the time and provide the production... this way they get 100% of the ad revenue. My be costly in the begining, but worth it in the end.
Press coverage needs to improve also. They should make the press / media part of the plans to improve the NVMC. Make a concious effort to provide the media with new facilities in the improved building with offices for them, cafateria, suites etc. Get Logan his own