Isles re-sign Simon

Jul 23, 2007, 13:55 GMT

Uniondale, NY - The New York Islanders re-signed veteran forward Chris Simon to a one-year contract Monday.

Simon, though, will miss the first five games of the season as his 25-game suspension from last season will carry over. He received the suspension for a two-handed, stick-swinging attack against the Rangers' Ryan Hollweg last season.

Simon missed the Islanders' final 15 regular-season games and the entire five- game loss to Buffalo in the first-round postseason series. Had New York advanced further, Simon could've completed his suspension in the playoffs.

The ban was the longest in terms of games missed in NHL history. Marty McSorley was suspended 23 games in February 2000 for knocking out Donald Brashear with a stick-swinging hit. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stretched that punishment to one year, and McSorley never played in the league again.

Simon played in 67 games for the Islanders in 2006-07 and had ten goals with 17 assists for 27 points. Last season Simon's point production was his best since the 2001-02 season when he scored 31 points in 82 games for the Washington Capitals.

'Chris is just one of those old school guys who gave our team a little bit of everything last season,' said Islanders head coach Ted Nolan. 'We can't overstate Si's leadership. He'll have a big role with our team, just like last season.'

In 744 career NHL games during 14 NHL seasons, Simon has scored 143 goals with 159 assists for 302 points and 1,765 penalty minutes.

'I take a lot of pride in being an Islander and I didn't consider playing anywhere else this season but on Long Island,' said Simon. 'Everyone knows the respect I have for Ted Nolan but it goes well beyond that. Everyone connected with the Islanders, from the owner to the fans, have been first-class. I cannot wait to get the season started.'

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