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Simon Disgusted With Pronger Decision
by Paul on 03/15/08 at 07:21 PM ET
Comments (10)
from Darren Dreger of TSN,
Chris Simon and those close to him, including current and former teammates, are disgusted and outraged over Chris Pronger’s eight game exile that is dwarfed by the 30 games Simon was banished for following a similar stomping incident in December.
The NHL understands the outpouring of emotion and predicted as much, but will say while acts appear similar; the intent is what defines the difference.
It is over and done, time to move on in my opinion.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Chris+Pronger, Chris+Simon,
Comments
Simon being disgusted means, to me, that the potential for a lawsuit has increased.
I’ll have to disagree, Paul. This isn’t over. This is just beginning.
Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 03/15/08 at 07:54 PM ET
“The NHL understands the outpouring of emotion and predicted as much, but will say while acts appear similar; the intent is what defines the difference.”
The intent defines the difference. Was Simon’s intent different than Pronger’s intent? Who has the diploma to establish that?
It appears the system of justice within the NHL is similar to the legal system in Canada and the US. It’s what I call the the Paris Hilton syndrome. A multi-level system dependent on status.
In addition, why bother with on-ice officials if they can’t catch these actions.
Posted by Ted from Innisfil, Ontario on 03/15/08 at 08:47 PM ET
The belief is Pronger’s recklessness is the end result of a bad decision while still part of a hockey play.
Chris Simon was assessed the longest suspension in NHL history because in the eyes of the league it appeared like he snapped; emotionally lost control…
“Recklessness” vs. “emotionally lost control”. It’s just symantics. Both guys retaliated because they were pissed off. Pure and simple. One guy’s a fourth-line winger. The other’s a “star” defenseman. There is the difference. It’s not in the actions they took on the ice. It’s their respective statuses within the league. Reverse the players in the two incidents and Simon still would get 30 days and Pinhead would still get eight.
What the league did with Pinhead is a sham and everyone with two eyes and a brain knows it. Hell, they even backed off their own “first choice” of suspending him through the first playoff game because Burke thought Pinhead should only get seven games. Way to go Gary. Ass.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 03/15/08 at 10:30 PM ET
I can’t see how the NHL can make these claims with a straight face. Pronger stomped him just like Simon did. No difference in either case. I now view NHL discipline as completely corrupt.
Posted by false_cause from DC on 03/15/08 at 11:14 PM ET
I understand Paul’s statement that the matter is closed and it’s necessary to move on. That doesn’t prevent this incident from leaving a bad taste in my mouth, though.
I love this sport and it pains me to see a double standard applied in the league’s disciplinary procedures. In my opinion, if the league doesn’t send a strong, clear, consistent message to allplayers that this kind of conduct is unacceptable, it opens the door for these kinds of acts in the future.
Posted by Sevumar from Orange County, CA on 03/16/08 at 12:33 AM ET
Wait a second.
Are people here actually implying that the NHL’s league office has made a blunder?
Naaaaaawwwwwww.
Posted by HockeyinHD on 03/16/08 at 04:46 AM ET
It’s only the middle… Pronger-haters will not give up.
Guys, quit belly-aching. It’s getting embarrassing.
Posted by Itlan on 03/16/08 at 09:15 PM ET
OlderThanChelios, you now have access to the Disciplinary Office? You know what they were going to give Pronger? Give it up man, it’s not worth all this whining.
Posted by Itlan on 03/16/08 at 09:18 PM ET
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Respectfully I have to disagree with you about this thing being over and that we should just move on. I agree that this incident is over and complaining about it will change nothing, but this is a symptom of a larger problem in my opinion. Until the league starts to treat all players the same and all games the same with regards to suspensions, stuff is just going to keep happening. The fact that the playoffs are right around the corner shouldn’t mitigate the length of the suspension, and after 7 previous suspensions I think intent should be assumed unless proven otherwise. Perhaps future players will consider what might happen down the road after their first suspension instead of their 8th. There needs to be consistency across the board regardless of race, stature, or the schedule. The league gains nothing by giving the appearance of favoritism regardless of the reason.
Posted by Aaron on 03/15/08 at 07:50 PM ET