AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 06
Monday, August 6, 2007
Catching up with Jon Sim
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First, let’s address the Marian Hossa trade rumors. Despite rumors to the contrary floating around the internet, I want to stress that the Thrashers are much more interested in signing Hoss to a contract extension than trading him. There are no serious trade talks as of right now, and I don’t anticipate that changing any time soon.
So rather than fan those flames any more than we already have, let’s start a new debate. Who do you think the Thrashers are going to miss the most off of last year’s team? The obvious answer is Keith Tkachuk, but that’s cheating. What about guys who were around a little longer? Andy Sutton? Greg DeVries? Eric Belanger?
When free agency hit, I got as many questions about Jon Sim as any other possible free agents. I know fans liked his grit, not to mention the 17 goals he scored in somewhat limited ice time. My neighbor has a Jon Sim Thrashers jersey, and in late June she was worried about a possible Sim departure. I assured her that it was likely he’d be back. I was wrong.
So after Monday’s Falcons practice, I caught up with Sim, who was on his way to the beach in Nova Scotia, for a quick interview. Here’s an excerpt from that interview.
Q: What are your thoughts on your deal with the Islanders?
A: I’m excited. It’s another new team but I’m used to that. I think we’re going the right way. They want to win. They want to make the playoffs, they want to be the last team standing. That’s the same way I feel.
Q: Were the Islanders a team you knew was interested in you?
A: July 1 came and I wasn’t expecting anything right away. My agent called me and said he had a 3-year deal with the Islanders and said ‘How do you feel?’ I said ‘3-year deal? I feel great.’”
Q: You signed a 3-year deal for $3 million. For a guy who has bounced around a little, what does it mean to have that security?
A: It’s just a relief, we’re looking for a house to buy now. We won’t be renting, it’s just exciting. It’s something that every hockey player wants, everybody in their life wants security, We have that now.
Q: Some criticized the Islanders for losing a couple big-time players in free agency, what are your thoughts on their off-season?
A: They lost a couple big fish, but they also signed a couple with Bill Guerin, [Rusian] Fedotenko, [Mike] Comrie, - three really good players. It’s all a circle. They lost Blake then got Comrie — I just think they want to win. The moves that they made are the right ones. Comrie made it to the Finals — Billy’s won Stanley Cups. I’ve been around winning teams too. That has a lot to do with it.
Q: How close were you to re-signing with the Thrashers?
A: We were close, I thought. I was trying to get more money and another year. They kind of said, we can wait and see what the market is. On July 1st, it kind of happened. We called Don [Waddell] and he had his hands tied. I spoke with Don myself, and got a call from Larry Simmons, to me that was very classy. I had a lot of fun there.
Q: Was there any disappointment when you realized a deal in Atlanta wouldn’t get done?
A: A little bit, I liked it there. I made some good friends on the team. We liked where we lived in Sugarloaf. I like the organization. Obviously, I was only there the one year, it was a fun year for the team, making the playoffs. All that was fun, we were looking to next year, but that’s the game of hockey, right? I know that best.
Q: Did the Thrashers offer you a multi-year deal?
A: They had a two-year deal but my agent was pretty keen on checking out the market. He thought this was a good year for me, I scored 17 goals on not a ton of ice time. He thought the market was going to be right. It was for me.
Q: What do you think of the Thrashers off-season moves?
A: Obviously they got another centerman — lost Belanger, got another winger in Perrin. They obviously, they’re trying to do the same things we are. You move a couple players and you bring a couple in.
Q: Now that you’re on the outside looking in, what do you think the Thrashers are going to need to do this season to make the next jump?
A: They’re going to have to gel like we did last year early. That’s where we got a big jump on the field. We got a really good start, that was huge for the whole season. If they can do that again, I’m sure they’ll be in the picture. They still have a lot of a good people in the organization.
