Does anyone else think Chris Simon got off easy????

Question

I watched that game, being a Rangers fan I really am not happy about this, but Ryan could have been killed and I think that is what is being missed in all of this. Chris is benefitting from the fact that Ryan was not more seriously injured. This is not Simon's first suspension its his 6th by now the NHL should get it together and say you obviously can't learn from your mistakes and suspened him a good year or not let him back at all. If Ryan took it a half inch lower he would be dead and thats not a joke or a exagerration. We would be talking jail time not a stupid suspension. Bertuzzi got off light, and these things are still going on its time the NHL get it together. I hope Simon faces charges in Long Island and I know I am not alone out there when I say there is no room in hockey for Chris Simon.........

Answer 1

I agree with every single thing you said. I also feel for you that some of the people upstairs from me (downstairs from you) not only just won't "get it", they feel the need to insult you because you have an opinion.

I WANT YOU TO DWELL ON THIS. Maybe some of you upstairs are the "crybabies". This is a SPORT, not a head-hunting contest! How many times does this have to keep happening????? What does it take to get through to some of you people that this HURTS hockey??????

Anyone who does what Simon did should absolutely be gone for life. I hope it doesn't take someone ACTUALLY getting killed next time to realize that CAN happen. I do NOT care what Ryan did, maybe he deserves disciplanary action too, that does NOT make what Simon did right.I do NOT care that Ryan didn't get hurt, the next time someone may not be so lucky.

The NHL needs to start showing some guts, pull their head out of the sand and realize how bad an image this gives hockey!!!!!! And don't start giving me your $#@@ about how if fans can't take a little blood, we don't want them as fans anyway. Please realize that the sports media is very STUPID, if they have a choice between showing Sidney Crosby or THIS, they will pick this. True, network TV and ESPN don't give a %^&&*!@ about Hockey and don't care. But we need not play right into their hands.

AND............................................

It may surprise some of you if I told you how long I have watched hockey; it may not. PERSONALLY, I would prefer fighting be taken out of the game altogether, PRACTICALLY I understand people like to see it and this is not going to happen.

Despite what has been "speculated" about me on Yahoo Answers, I do not cover my eyes or change channels when a fight happens. I can "handle it". I might even watch it for the "entertainment value" myself although if I am AT the game, I am more likely to buy a Beer and Hot Dog, the line will be short, and I can be back when the clock restarts and they start playing HOCKEY. I understand that it may change momentum for a team.

In any case Habitant, you mentioned "physical play". I certainly enjoy a hard check into the boards or a battle for position in front of the net as much as anyone, even did those things when I played. Yes, I did play.

NOW PLEASE, SOMEONE, ANYONE, TELL ME WHAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH SWINGING A STICK AT SOMEBODY'S HEAD?????????

Answer 2

I think the suspension is right being that it is officially the longest suspension ever handed out and since Simon if a big part of the Isles it is a big big blow to him and to the Isles playoff chances. Now look at the fact that it was not unprovoked because Simon did suffer a mild concussion from the hit by Hollweg which drove him into the boards so Simon went after Hollweg on his own. Whereas in the Bertuzzi incident Bertuzzi went after Moore when he had nothing to do with the fact that Moore was going after Naslund all game long which is worse. Its a fact of life that if a drive hits a person accidently and injured him he won't get in as much trouble as he would if he killed the person right? Same thing that if Hollweg was injured then Simon would have been in deep **** but thankfully Hollweg whom I really like a as a player because he brings so much energy and grit to NYR was not hurt too bad and so Simon got his due punishment no more or no less would have been acceptable.

Answer 3

I hate the Rangers.
That being said, the hit was vicious, and you're right on the money, Simon lucked out on the fact that Hollweg was not more seriously injured. If his hockey career was ended the way Todd Bertuzzi ended Moore's career, Simon would be facing an equal one year suspension. The fact that it is his 6th suspension also makes him look bad. They need to change the system so that the more suspensions you get the more added time you are away from the ice.

Answer 4

Chris Simon most definitely got off easy. The NHL should be making examples of nitwits who think using their stick for retaliation is a good idea. I've watched hockey since the early 70's and the hit that Simon took would have been an average one back in the old days. His contention that he suffered a concussion and didn't know what he was doing is simply a dramatic lie. If you watch the video and I've seen it too many times to count, you will see Chris Simon after his check turn and see Ryan Hollweg next to him. He looked to see who was there, he made sure it was the guy who crashed into him. Then he slid his hand down the stick to take a two-handed swing at the guy. After Hollweg fell to the ground you see Simon skate away, but he gently nudged Hollweg's stick with his skate to make sure he didn't trip on it. That doesn't sound like someone who didn't know what he was doing. This guy should have been suspended at least a year if not more. He is supremely lucky that Hollweg wasn't seriously injured or killed. For anyone who hasn't played hockey, those stick blades are sharp and could easily cut into the soft skin of the neck. Thankfully for Hollweg he's got a hard head.

Answer 5

He got off easy. Let me explain:

This game is ultimately a business... sorry fans, it is a business, you have to start facing it. The American marketplace is essential for the NHL to still exist and thrive... Canadian players left for American teams to make American money... not for championships, for security. In the late '80s and early 90's the elite players jumped to the American teams (Gretzky is just one Canadian who jumped over the border); why would a talented, skillful player stay in a wrecked Canadian team (see Ottawa a few years ago... see Edmonton through the 90s)... this is a business.

Anytime the NHL makes headlines in the American sports stations and newspapers is when a brutal hit is made. The American media makes hockey as a sport of goons and chaos... the sport will never be taken seriously in the States if it looks like the violence of the NHL looks like it is out of control. I know that tons of you Canadian fans think that is great that Americans don't show a serious interest in your sport but your players want to play in American markets (most even prefer that), Canadian organizations don't want to pay what American teams pay... we need to face the realization of this sport: it can't survive without the American market.

I like Chris Simon... I like the violence in the sport and I understand why the heat of the moment occurs. But it is counter-productive to the sport... I spent years in the Czech Republic following hockey there and I never missed the kind of hits or retaliation I see in the NHL... if anything the retaliation hits slow down the game. I don't think Simon should be banned and I don't think the courts should be involved but Simon should have had a 40 game suspension.

BTW, when the law gets involved it is questioning whether the league is capable of policing itself... the league should be worried about the perception of that. And the law has investigated hits on both sides of the border. This really needs to be be considered and addressed.

Answer 6

It was a pretty disgusting thing to see happen, but what is really being ignored, is why did he do it? Everyong is crying for poor Ryan Hollweg, a chicken **** player, who runs guys from behind. By no means do I justify what Simon did, but Hollweg, got a big dose of what he is serving. If it was me, I would have been happy with planting an elbow right there on his chin, or maybe right between his eyes. What I find really funny, is a few days after the incident, he had another questionable check, in his very next game. I dont know how far alot fo you go back with NhL hockey, but this certainly is not the first stick swinging incident, and its sure not the last. But what you really need to see, is that both players are responsible for their actions, respect your opponent, respect the game, and then things like this dont happen. But, choose to run around the ice, throwing hits in the back, and things like this will keep being our topic of conversation.

Answer 7

It was a fair punishment. Sounds like sour grapes. "Ryan" is not exactly a poster boy for clean play BTW.
Also, a half an inch lower and he would be dead????? That has to be either a joke or an exagerration because it is crap. What would a half of inch lower have done?? Even if he got him in the windpipe, he would not be dead. He would have a sore throat but come on. Unless there was a hidden razor blade that would have sliced his juglar vein, then he COULD NOT have died-and judging from Malarchuk's injury, he still would have survived.
Quit being a drama queen and a homer. My only thoughts from the whole incident is why was Hollweg not penalized for hitting from behind?

Answer 8

In the NBA, when Ron Artest went crazy and fought with fans (back in 2004), he was suspended for 72 games.

The incidents are similar, in that both players completely lost their cool and went nuts, and did something way, way outside the bounds of acceptable behavior for the sport.

Yes, Simon's was the longest NHL suspension ever - BY A MEASLY 2 GAMES!

A big message along the lines of the message sent to Ron Artest was what was needed. A suspension of 40 or 50 games would have sent the strong message that was called for.

Answer 9

I do not agree w/ 25 games. That was flagrent and cruel. 1 year ban possibly. I feel bad for Simon in a sense. He played years back and was out of the NHL. But Ted Nolan gave him another chance this year. Now he is suspended.

Answer 10

Based on past suspensions, I'd say he got just about what he deserved. I don't think they took into consideration Hollweg not getting hurt at all. They just don't give more than 25 games if you don't murder someone. Same really goes for other sports, too. It's not just hockey. So I agree with the spirit of your question! Suspensions, in general, are rarely long enough.