Shallow Frozen Water

30 games

let me start by saying, 30 games may not have been enough but it’s certainly the strong statement that was needed.  there is all sorts of talk circling Mr. Simon about just what he needs in terms of “counselling” but let me be clear, i think it’s just anger management and behavioural management that’s required here.  don’t go saying that i was declaring that he needs substance abuse counselling or a decade of psychotherapy or something.  i’m not saying that, and i have no clue if that is an issue whatsoever, it’s confirmed by people closer to the the situation than me that alcohol and drugs are not an issue.   however, there is something happening for Chris Simon.  one could basically say that he certainly doesn’t get it and his “intent to injure” over the last year indicates that he isn’t hearing the NHLPA’s shouts to “let’s all just be friends”.   he needs to go figure this out.  plain and simple.

Chris Simon can play hockey.  he’s not a troglodyte.  i’ve had him on my fantasy team before, i remember when he was a Flame/Ranger in 03-04 that he spent a good chunk of the season as a LW for my Hab-Nots.  Simon scored 29 goals for the Caps in ‘99-00 and he threw in 146 PIMs that year to boot, he scored 17 with 250 PIMs in ‘03-04 for the Flames/Rangers.  when i think of that sort of production for my fantasy team i say definitely, YES please.  in fact, if he gets whatever behavioural/anger stuff sorted out then he could definitely return and score goals in the teens again with over 200 PIMs a season and that will continue to have significant fantasy value, particularly at LW which is still the hardest position to fill adequately in deep fantasy leagues.

Chris Simon just doesn’t get it right now.  when he corrects that then he could and should return to contributing to the NHL.  many guys will want no part of him when he’s back, and that’s fine by me, he still has value and if that value puts me over the top in my league, i’ll take it.  8 suspensions including the 2 longest suspensions of all time though?  that’s pretty hard to defend against.  fix that and you’ll be welcomed again Mr. Simon.  i know things seem difficult right now but i know you’ll sort through it.