AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSimon’s hit: You be the judge
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In league news, Islanders forward Chris Simon has been suspended indefinitely for slashing Ryan Hollweg in the face last night. Once again, the NHL will be getting a ton of bad publicity on this one, this hit is brutal.
If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the clip on YouTube: Simon slashes Hollweg
Go watch it and tell me what you think. How long should he be suspended ? Are we talking Todd Bertuzzi suspension here? Is this something that can end up like McSorley’s hit on Donald Brashear? You could argue that this is assault, couldn’t you?
I think at the very least, we should be talking 20 games, and I’m being kind.
Practice update: Kari Lehtonen and Marian Hossa both exercised their option to skip (and Bob Hartley, if we’re including anyone. He’s suffering from racquetball hip, a lower body injury). Hoss (hand, knee), I’ve been assured numerous times by everyone, is fine. Hartley said Hossa will play against Florida. Lehtonen will also get the start against the Panthers - obviously there’s not a lot of motivation right now to make lineup changes.
Had a really honest interview with Andy Sutton for a story running Monday. He admits to struggling with the recent trades and his move from the top pairing (and his decreased ice time). He was sulking, but has turned the corner, and is determined to finish this season with a positive attitude, no matter what his role with the team is. He’s a guy who wears his emotions on his sleeve, and you could tell he was having a good time at practice today, lots of laughing and messing around, something we haven’t seen from the big defenseman in awhile. Looks like he’s working it out — and he played pretty well last night. Over 20 minutes of ice time, with two hits and two blocked shots. He also got lots of time on the PK, something that wasn’t happening before.
Comments
By AtlantaGatorLee
March 9, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
I happened to catch practice. Seemed like everyone was in a good mood. I even saw Kovy play fighting with one of the guys. My 3 year old was excited to see “PP PJs”.
By Brian
March 9, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Craig - suspend Teddy’s boy for the rest of the year, playoffs included. What happened in Vancouver? Wasn’t it the whole year? Don’t compare this to the hit that Janssen just had against Toronto.
Interesting that you do a piece on Sutton. This is a “contract” year for him, isn’t it? Tough time to get your minutes cut.
By Buzilla Baby Blues
March 9, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Tell him he is still an overpriced putz
By Craig Custance
March 9, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
AGL: Yeah — I noticed Kovalchuk mixing it up with Boulton too. Spirits were pretty high this morning, that’s for sure.
By silverpork
March 9, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
Simon should be banned, not suspended. This is a clear-cut case of intent-to-injure. We can debate hits like Janssens’s or Neil’s, but there is no room for debate on this, and the NHL needs to take a hard stance. The NHL has struggled with its image for a long time. It is trying to grow the fan base. The reality is that in much of the US, the perception of the NHL is little more than boxing on ice, played by goons. We know better, but the league had better make a statement that this kind of thing will not be tolerated and has no place in the game.
By kracker
March 9, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
Simon should be eligible to be considered for reinstatement at least until Jan. 1, 2008. That should send a message.
If that’s not good enough, make the date Sept. 1, 2008, a full year+ ineligible w/o pay.
Btw, CC is there a youtube of Tkachuk pounding Bouillon? Actually, I’d like to see the whole incident, I was out of the room and the CI feed didn’t replay very much of the incidents.
By R. Stroz
March 9, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
Hollweg is a goon and has been a cheap shot artist for a while. Eventually, someone was going to “snap” and explode, Simon did. That said, Simon and Bertuzzi committed aggravated assault. Both players should be or should have been permanently banned and charges should be filed.
If any of us were struck by an angry driver and we jumped out of our car and hit the driver across the face with a bat, we would be charged with assault. The law should apply evenly.
By Jenn
March 9, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
hey kracker - tsn.ca has full highlights of the game, including the KT KO!!
By dj
March 9, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
Simon shouldn’t be suspended from the NHL, he should be suspended from hockey. At least a year, what Tkakchuk did last night is hockey. What simon did was a crime.
By BAF
March 9, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this
Playoffs. If started today, #3 would play #6. Right? That would mean we would open with TB. That would be an intense first round.
By Rawhide
March 9, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
The intent was to injury,…….not even with the puck or anything to do with the game.
Banning for the season and playoffs with a $50,000 fine might do the trick.
This will be shown on all sports shaows for the next month and the NHL will be called a goon-league. The commish needs to hit him hard and the message needs to be sent.
Contrast this with what happened at Philips last night. Hossa takes a cheap shot to the knee. Some *could * argue that it was at least during play,…but it looked cheap, especially considering the score at the time.
The code-of-conduct on the ice called for exactly what Kovy and KT did,…..they took him on face to face…..and Keith put his sorry a$$ on the ice. There is how it is to be done.
What Simon did was to use his stick as an offensive weapon to the head of Hollweg as he was skating off the ice, (at it appears to me). This is a deliberate attack that could have been far more damaging to the victom them it was, (thank God).
Add to this that Simon has done this before and he has been suspended for almost the exact same thing.
The man should not see the ice again until next fall,….at the earliest.
By Bob
March 9, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
I think Bertuzzi’s was the worst because it was premeditated. McSorley’s was worse also. Simon was dazed and it was a spur of the moment thing, so I don’t think Campbell will give him longer suspensions than he doled out for those two.
Hi-eveh, I would like to see stiffer punishments. I think Bertuzzi should have been banned from the game, period.
The NHL is in a pickle now. How do they dole out more than what they gave to Bertuzzi or McSorley, yet still do something to prevent this nonsense from happening again?
Mabye the right thing to do is to give him the same that McSorley got. Then, come up and announce it to everyone that the next guy that does something like this is going to get a lifetime ban.
By kracker
March 9, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
Thank you Jenn!
By Brian
March 9, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
Jenn - thanks, I was going to wait for one of the other sites to put it up but just logged on here now and then watched.
By Thrashy Thrashy
March 9, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
Simon should miss the rest of the season. That being said, Hollweg was due for some crazy retaliation to happen to him. He’s a punk and he managed to come out of this with only four stitches. Simon would have been better off settling things with a fight and I’m sure he’s quite aware of that fact. Not only would Simon have sent more of a statement, he could have upped the stitch count.
By Tom
March 9, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
Toss Simon’s butt out till sometime next century. The hit was out of control and completely unwarranted.
On a happier note, the Spirit group released Hartley’s press conference from last night on you tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPkKzxPNOp0
enjoy.
By Tony C.
March 9, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this
See my comments on ICEman’s blog…
I do think there is more to it than just that clip. Hollweg is a cheap-shot type of guy…some people will say “oh he’s their pest. Kind of like a Claude Lemieux”.” Wrong. Claude was the archetypal pest, and was known for late hits, but he contributed offensively, and generally took as good as he gave. There’s a lot of guys who specialize in “gettingunder the other guys skin”…look no further than our own Jon Sim-he definitely lets the other guys know he’s out there.
Hollweg to me is not that sort of guy-he is a cheap-shot guy, he does go into the corner with his elbow out…like someone said above, someone was going to snap on this guy sooner or later…I am disapointed in Simon who seemed to have turned a corner after having overcome similar situations and other obstacles…plus I think he would’ve whupped Hollweg’s @ss if they’d dropped ‘em. Thing is Hollweg doesn’t drop’em very much I’ve noticed. Granted I just really started paying attention to the guy after his hit on X a while back. He does hit guys at the end of his shift and then get back to his bench for the change…No defense for Simon’s actions, but man this Hollweg guy is lucky to only have 4 stitches!!!
Do yall think it was worse than Emerey’s slash? Goalie sticks are mad heavy, plus I think Emerey messed dude up worse than Hollweg got.
Glad to hear that spirits are high at practice, we need these guys to enjoy kicking the crap out of the rest of the division and beyond.
LET’S GO BLUE !!!
P.S. SC video highlights here
By B. Thenet
March 9, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
Simon should miss 15 games, which is around what happened the last time someone caught a stick to the face like that. It was a bad hit, not as bad as Big Bert’s, plus it was an instant retaliation to what was a borderline hit by Hollweg.
Simon should also be recieving several fruit baskets and notes of congratulation from other teams in the Eastern Conference for giving Hollweg a taste of what he deserves for his cheap play.
By Ryan
March 9, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
Craig, I watched the Rangers Isles game on-line and I can tell you this, Hollweg’s hit was from behind….where’s the boarding call? As far as Simon’s slash to the face, there was intent to injure and the NHL needs to crack down on this type of behavior. Was he dazed? More than likely but to go after him with the stick to the face, NO. Drop the gloves and make it fair. Does Hollweg deserve fairness? I would have to say yes. It changed the game for both teams, and it was a great game. Rangers go on 5 min. PP and score. Isle have a questionable goal not counted in the last minute. If the Isles miss the playoffs by one point it will be interesting. Here’s the thing the league is acting on this to move things forward. To make a long story short, there are two things here-do you call boarding some of the times? Or most of the time? Should players get hefty consequences for their actions? I would have to say Yes to consequences and Yes to calling boarding penalties More than they have been. The league just doesn’t need this when the NHL struggles with other sports.
By LAC
March 9, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
Gee, Lets see, my neighbor is watering his lawn… His sprinkler is getting my Atlanta Constitution wet, not that, that is a BAD thing, and I get p**.
I go in and retrive my personally signed Todd Bertuzzi NHL stick, I walk over and cold c** the guy, Here come the cops and away I go for 5-10 years for assualt with a deadly weapon, and I am now even allowed to voice my view on Action News…
That guy should be banned for life,period…end of discussion.
Great game last night, Hope Hoss is doing OK,might be good to sit him monday against Washington, give him 4 days off.LOVED how #8, our new playerstood up for his mates, GREAT job Keith,Hope you stay to play next year too, We need more of that kind of stuff, andfollowing that Montreal, in TRUE Canadian fashion retreated.
Their blogs are wanting Gainey and coach fired and several of the Europe players released, gee whiz, Iguess nobody can play NHL hockey except Canada players… Go figure !!!!!!
Loved the french Brenden, Excellent !
By Ryan
March 9, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
LAC, you’re right on the money.
By JT
March 9, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
that was filthy dirty!! Go Blue
By Craig Custance
March 9, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
LAC — That’s right — don’t let anyone mess with your newspaper.
By Thrash
March 9, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this
Simon should be arrested for assault and prosecuted like any thug would be. Jail time, prison time, etc…whatever it takes.
By Brendan
March 9, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this
Mais, je t’en prie, LAC. (Don’t mention it, LAC.)
I’m watching Minnesota vs. Buffalo, as this “could” be a preview of playoff series to come, either this year or next year. Carolina leads Washington, 1-0.
I tell you, I love this Sabres announcer Rick Jannearette (sp?). He says, “Druuuuureee.” And the mayor of “Pomminville.” And Brian “Soupy” Campbell. And best of all, the way he says, “the shot, the save the rebound … it’s STILL loose in front, and FIIIINALLY, play is called.” And it comes off like … a boxing announcer FRANTICALLY calling a flurry of punches leading to a knock-down in a heavyweight division bout between Ali and Fraser. What’s with “MacArthur Park?” The other thing I like about him, he constantly apologizes for things. “There’s the shot by Numminen. No, I beg YOUR PARDON, ladies and gentlemen. That shot was taken by Kalinen. I don’t know if it was deflected or not, but it may have hit something enroute to the net.”
I can’t recall any announcer exercising politeness and accuracy quite to this level.
By Ryan
March 9, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this
Brendan, watching the game as well he is one of the best and has been around for long time. He is simply quality.
By Brian
March 9, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
Brendan & Ryan - on the other blog I put a link up of a hit I liked from last year but I specifically mentioned you two because I took the Jeanerette version.
By Ryan
March 9, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
Brian, I came back and thanked you for that link, I remember watching that game and feeling bad for Umberger. He had no idea where he was after that hit. And yes,Jeanneret’s call was timeless, you know that guy has been calling games for the Sabres since 71’, quality, quality.
By Lee
March 9, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this
Simon is a dirty player, I agree he should go for life. He didn’t even apologize after the game. If he shows no remorse, neither should we or the NHL.
By Lango
March 10, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
Sorry but if the NHL is only going to give Emery a 3 game suspension for his intentional slash to the face of Lapierre then I think a suspension for the remainder of the regular season - not including playoffs - for Simon is equitable.
By Lee
March 10, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
just makes the NHL look so bad when these guys aren’t punished. I would drop the hammer on all of the guys- McSorley, Bertuzzi (especially old Todd), these guys could have seriously hurt these people.
By michael
March 10, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
I have to agree if Emery only gets 3 games you can’t expect much more for Simon.
By Beauvighn
March 10, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
Simon is a thug. He should not be allowed to play in the NHL again. That was a pre-meditated hit with intent to injure.