Chris Simon Gets Handed Longest Suspension in NHL History

While it wasn't the lifetime ban some had called for, the NHL showed some balls (for once) and handed out a 30-game suspension to Chris Simon for his stomp on Pittsburgh's Jarkko Ruutu. This was after Simon was handed a 25-game suspension last season for chopping Ryan Hollweg like a tree.

"Several factors were considered in imposing the longest suspension in NHL history for an on-ice incident," league disciplinarian Colin Campbell said. "While it was fortunate there was no serious injury to Mr. Ruutu as a result of Simon's action, the deliberate act of kicking an opponent with an exposed skate blade, especially where the opponent is in a vulnerable position, is and always has been a repugnant and totally unacceptable act in the game of hockey."

The only problem I have with the suspension is that Chris Simon could be back with the Islanders for the playoffs, should they make it, and should they accept him back. If the league really wanted to punish Simon, they would have put the guy on ice for the entire season and playoffs, and then let the man beg and plead to return to the ice NEXT season.

And what is this talk about 'compassion' from Islanders coach Ted Nolan? Why should we compassionate to a man who has clearly demonstrated a history of violent activity? Chris Simon is a thug, not a misunderstood victim. If anything, Simon needs to be scolded instead of coddled by the Isles organization.