There are several reports floating around the various news organizations today suggesting that the NHL has suspended Chris Simon for 22 games (15 regular season and 7 playoff games).
This story is definitely erroneus. NBCSports.com reported here that according to the MSG Network Simon had received that 22 game suspension.
Similarly TSN.ca also reported earlier today the same story but has since printed a retraction on their website here.
Colin Campbell did meet with Chris Simon today but has not handed down a ruling as of yet.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Chris Simon Suspension NOT Decided yet
Starting Goalies in the NHL tonight Saturday, March 10
Below are the reported starters for Friday night:
(Bold is my predicted winner, Italic is an uncertain starter)
Bruins - Joey MacDonald vs Flyers - Martin Biron
Rangers - Henrik Lundqvist vs Penguins - Marc Andre Fluery
Capitals - Brent Johnson vs Islanders - Rick DiPietro
Senators - Ray Emery vs Maple Leafs - Andrew Raycroft
Devils - Martin Brodeur vs Sabres - Ryan Miller
Thrashers - Kari Lehtonen vs Panthers - Ed Belfour
Blue Jackets - Brian Boucher vs Predators - Tomas Vokoun
Canadiens - David Aebischer vs Blues - Curtis Sanford
Blackhawks - Nikolai Khabibulin vs Coyotes - Mikael Tellqvist
Lightning - Johan Holmqvist vs Flames - Miikka Kiprusoff
How did I do last night?
8 for 12 on starters, 5 for 6 on winners
(Bold is the actual winner, Italic is my predicted winner)
Hurricanes - Cam Ward vs Capitals - Brent Johnson
Stars - Marty Turco vs Blue Jackets - Frederick Norrena
Kings - Mathieu Garon vs Red Wings - Dominik Hasek
Wild - Josh Harding vs Sabres - Ty Conklin
Oilers - Dwayne Roloson vs Ducks - J.S. Giguere
Canucks - Roberto Luongo vs Sharks - Evgeni Nabokov
Friday, March 9, 2007
Chris Simon pulls a Bertuzzi
Over at NHL Digest Lyle has posted the video of last night's brutal attack by Chris Simon on Ryan Hollweg.
UPDATE: Chris Simon has been suspended indefinitely by the NHL according to TSN.
Just how stupid can an NHL player be? After the Chris Neil hit on Chris Drury, which precipitated the Ray Emery vs Martin Biron fight, and the Cam Jannsen hit on Tomas Kaberle you would think that players in the NHL would be a little more aware that the League is looking at actions intended to injure other players a little more closely.
This incident brings to mind the Marty McSorley attack on Donald Brasher, you can refresh your memory below.
If that piece of history doesn't chill your bones nothing will. What you should also remember is that this incident effectively ended the NHL career of Marty McSorley. He received a suspension for the remainder of the NHL season (23 games) for his actions which was then extended to February of the following season and never played in the NHL again.
More recently the Todd Bertuzzi blind side attack on Steve Moore brings back some chilling memories as well.
Note the reference at the end of the video to the McSorley incident. Bertuzzi also received a suspension for the remainder of the NHL season (and playoffs) and was then extended to 17 months (partially due to the NHL lockout) and banned Bertuzzi from playing anywhere during that time.
It will be extremely interesting to see what the NHL decides to do with Chris Simon. With the example of the McSorley and Bertuzzi incidents I think we can bank on Simon being gone for the rest of the season, and we can probably expect some legal ramifications as well. The only good news here is that Ryan Hollweg seems to have survived the attack in good shape and expects to play the Rangers next game.
My prediction? Simon is gone for the year and the playoffs and will likely be suspended for a good amount of next season as well. Hopefully for life.
The timing for the NHL couldn't be better, with all the attention being focused on the issue of intent to injure this is a perfect chance for the NHL to state unequivocally that they will not tolerate actions like this.
My Hope? Bye bye Chris Simon, we won't miss you at all.
On a fantasy hockey note, pencil Sunday March, 25th into your calendars. That is the next time that the Rangers face the Islanders. I think we can expect some fireworks for that game.
Without Kaberle on the PP, the Leafs suck
I watched the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators game last night with mixed feelings.
I expected, and even predicted, a Leaf's loss to the Sens. Without Tomas Kaberle the Leaf's do not have a puck moving defenceman to kickstart their offense. Even more disturbing is the fact that Kaberle is not only the Buds best offensive defenseman, he is also their best defensive defenseman. Without him the Leafs struggle on both the power play and the penalty kill.
Last night demonstrated that fact quite clearly. Ottawa scored 3 power play goals on 6 tries and also generated a short handed goal on 1 of 8 Leaf power play attempts. To top that off the Leafs couldn't manage much in the way of offense during their power play opportunities, let alone a goal.
If your fantasy hockey team has any Toronto Maple Leafs player on its roster I would suggest that you sit them until Kaberle returns to the lineup. Much of the Toronto offense is produced on the PP and without Kaberle this will be anemic at best.
That doesn't mean you need to drop Sundin or McCabe from your roster, just leave them on the bench for the next little while if you have better options.
Starting Goalies in the NHL tonight Friday, March 9
Below are the reported starters for Friday night:
Hurricanes - Cam Ward vs Capitals - Brent Johnson
Stars - Marty Turco vs Blue Jackets - Frederick Norrena
Kings - Mathieu Garon vs Red Wings - Dominik Hasek
Wild -
Oilers - Dwayne Roloson vs Ducks - J.S. Giguere
Canucks - Roberto Luongo vs Sharks - Evgeni Nabokov
Two questionable predictions up there, John Grahame has started 4 of the last 6 for Carolina but hasn't been too solid. Dominik Hasek says he is 100% but this is the dreaded groin injury that every fantasy hockey owner of him has been dreading all season long.
How did I do last night?
16 for 18 on starters, 5 for 9 on winners
(Bold is the actual winner, Italic is my predicted winner)
Wild - Niklas Backstrom vs Bruins Tim Thomas
Canadiens - Jaroslav Halak vs Thrashers - Kari Lehtonen
Panthers - Ed Belfour vs Flyers - Martin Biron
Rangers - Henrik Lundqvist vs Islanders - Rick DiPietro
Maple Leafs - Andrew Raycroft vs Senators - Ray Emery
Devils - Martin Brodeur vs Penguins - Marc-Andre Fleury
Stars - Marty Turco vs Blues - Curtis Sanford
Flames - Miikka Kiprusoff vs Predators - Tomas Vokoun
Canucks - Danny Sabourin vs Coyotes - Curtis Joseph
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