JON SIM WILL BE BACK
9 goals in NHL, 15 in AHL, everything to prove
Chris Botta is also on Facebook
Jon Sim will be in training camp with the Islanders in September, of that you can be sure. There’s always the slight possibility of Garth Snow including him as part of a much bigger trade, but don’t count on it.
The 32-year old Sim has a season remaining on the three-year, $3 million deal he signed in the summer of 2007. He blew out his knee in the home opener of year one of the contract and missed the rest of the season.
Last season he struggled early after almost a full year without NHL competition. Sim also never gelled with Scott Gordon and his system of play. After Chris Campoli and Mike Comrie were traded to Ottawa, Sim was the third disgruntled veteran destined to be off the Island. When the trade deadline passed without a taker, Sim cleared waivers for the second time in three months and was sent to Bridgeport. Perhaps not-so-coincidentally, he played his best hockey last season just before the demotion (4-3-7 in his last 6 games). He had to see it coming.
To his credit, if Sim sulked at all in Connecticut, he didn’t let it show on game-night. He had 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points in 18 games with the Sound Tigers. In the 5-game playoff series loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Sim was 2-3-5.
More impressively, Sim was praised across the board and on and off-the-record when I visited Bridgeport twice at the end of the season. During the AHL playoffs, I was told he was playing with an injury so severe (a busted or severely sprained ankle is the guess here), that Sim’s younger teammates were stunned he was soldiering on. “Simmer has been our best player in most of our games,” Bridgeport head coach Jack Capuano told me after Game 4. “But more than that, he’s been a real solid pro every day.”
What does this mean for Sim when camp opens in Saskatoon? Frankly, not much. He will have to get on the same page as Gordon. He’ll fight for a spot on the fourth line, at best. He has a million dollars guaranteed coming to him next season, so he’s not exactly the heartwarming story to watch in September.
But know this: the Islanders are not buying him out. He’s under contract for one more year and currently has little to no value on the trade market (see: clearing waivers twice last season). But he made the best of a brutal year with his performance and attitude in Bridgeport, so he’ll get another chance to play in the NHL. Heck, he scored 9 goals in 49 games of inconsistent icetime last season. That qualifies him as a top gun on the current NHL roster.
I pulled him aside after Game 4 of the Penguins series in Bridgeport in April. He had ice bags on most of his lower body and could barely walk.
“I don’t want to talk about what happened on the Island,” he said. “It happened and I’m moving past it.”
I asked Sim if he ever thought about missing the AHL playoff games so his injury could properly heal and he’d be in the best position to compete for a job with the Islanders in September.
“Was never in question,” said Sim. “I’m with the Sound Tigers now and my commitment is here. AHL playoffs, NHL, whatever. I’ve been in pro hockey for 11 years. I’ve played all over the place and at just about every level, and I never had problems with anyone or anyone with me. Next season is next season. I guess the biggest thing is, I love to play hockey.”
He’ll play his 12th pro season somewhere in the Islanders organization.
Comments.
72 Responses to JON SIM WILL BE BACK
9 goals in NHL, 15 in AHL, everything to prove
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JKP in Halifax says:
Having grown up in the same town Sim is from (New Glasgow!) I’m rooting for him to succeed with the Isles. Hopefully he can carry over the performance from BP to training camp and he and Gordon can patch things up.
You have to root for the hometown players.
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Brian says:
If he’s on the opening night roster he’ll likely take Hilbert’s spot on the 4th line. I’d rather he be in the minors or traded however.
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I have no problem with Jon Sim- if he makes the team, then good for him and hopefully good for the Isles. IT aint easy to come back after an injury like that, and it aint easy to go obacvk and play in the ahl… but he did both with class.
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Madchef says:
enjoy the ahl next season…not even remotely interested in seeing him with the club. let him continue to inspire the sound tigers
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JPinVA says:
Happy Memorial Day. And thanks, Chris, for some inter-grill-and beer reading.
Scott Gordon is getting a lot of “passes” because of the “rebuild” and the “youth” movement… there are so many incidents where it APPEARS that he’s hung his soldiers out to dry, that I’m really not sure this guy has what it takes to lead an NHL team.
I hope he proves me wrong. -
Garthblow says:
He stinks. If I had a million dollars I’s buy him out…Two Words: Dead Piece
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Dave Chyzowski says:
cb, isn’t the draft prospect convention (i forgot what its called) going on this weekend. why not talk about that? any news. is it possible that they will say their intentions after the evaluations etc..?
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admin says:
Draft combine. Teams talk to kids, watch them work out. The meetings the Islanders have on LI with Tavares, Hedman, Duchene and the others are far more important.
If the NYI haven’t declared their intentions by now, they’re not going to after the combine. Every team comes out of the combine talking about how great the draft is and how confident they are that they’re gonna draft terrific kids.
Folks, it’s May. I write about the Islanders every day. Not every story is going to be a big whoop. Greg Logan has some solid stuff with Scott Gordon on the Worlds, so make sure you check that out.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend. I’m sure we’ll get back to the draft tomorrow…CB
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Daryl C says:
When Jon Freakin’ Sim scores > 1 PPG in the AHL it really gives you perspective when trying to judge the rest of your talent playing at that level.
I do like his attitude over the whole thing, but I would expect nothing less from a good ol’ Caper.
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Strummer's Army says:
There are certain guys that if they are on the big clubs roster you can count on it being a long year, Sim, Hilbert, Martinek, Geravis, and Meyer. We’ve endured many long years recently and I think the Isles can now cut us a break and let us watch players we are interested in. There are guys who aren’t good enough or don’t have enough heart and competitive drive to be NHL’ers and we should have to watch it anymore.
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Perhaps Jon Sim should join Shawn Bates on the BuyOut line. Although Bridgeport may be able to use him again.
Have a pleasant holiday monday all.
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mw147 says:
If he makes the team then it means we have traded several other players (not likely), several other players are hurt (certainly possible on this team), or he comes to camp in great shape and plays so well that the staff simply cannot ignore him. I sure hope it’s the last one, but to me it is most likely he gets sent back the Bridge again. If he keeps the good attitude he will likely be back with the Isles at some point during the season when some injuries hit.
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kevin27nyi says:
my guess? id say he will be in bridgeport again but will definitley play at least 25 games. id rather have mccamond, hilbert, and the wrecker over him. hell, even thompson.
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Joe says:
Joel Rechlicz was the most exciting player on the ice for the final month, he earned his spot far more than the useless Sim. Sim was nothing but a slow, waste of space that hadn’t dont anything. He sounds like he’s been a perfect fit for Bridgeport, I hope they keep him there.
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Shawn MacNeil says:
Sweet, That’s my pic of Sim with the Sountigers. Pretty cool to see it here.
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nyislanders93 says:
Sim doesn’t deserve a spot on this rebuilding team. His play is below average for even a fourth line player. His spot should be given to a young player from Bridgeport fighting for that spot. Jon Sim doesn’t bring anything to the team.
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Dan says:
I give him credit for his work down in Bridgeport. Yes he is getting a million a season but he could have just mailed it in down there and collected his paycheck. We will see what happens during camp.
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Steve S says:
#12 … Are you NUTS? Joel Rechlicz was the most exciting player the last month? Call me crazy, I was a tad happier with the performances of Bailey and Okposo. Joel Rechlicz is NOT an NHL player. If I see him or Mitch Fritz on the opening night roster, I’m not giving Charles a cent of my money.
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17- Im talking fourth line players, not overall.
Joel Rechlicz is 21 and absolutely can/hopefully will be an NHL player, he is a tougher version of Tim Jackman, just needs some work. Jackman cant do the enforcing alone if our whole team is going to be young guys.
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matt says:
he stinks give me a break…he doesnt have speed…he doesnt fit in.
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It’s a different league. We DO NOT need enforcers. Who is Detroit’s enforcer? Pittsburgh’s? We need skill. Rechlicz has none.
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Scott, East Meadow Long Island says:
I dont really want to see Sim in the lineup come next season.. Id rather give it to a younger player – and see what he has to give..
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Detroits soft, non-physical style hasnt been good since 97, the last year they won the cup they had Downey and McCarty. Pittsburgh has Eric Godard and Craig Adams.
We need skill but our team is so much smaller than both we need guys like Rechlicz and Jackman around. (Unless we can pick up Orr or someone)
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db says:
#24 detroit won the cup last year
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doc says:
I agree with some of the posts… and completely disagree with others.
I give Sim a lot of credit for being commited to working hard at Bridgeport… but I really don’t want to see him on the Islanders next season. Not so much because it’s HIM… but more because it’s an indication that they didn’t upgrade at enough spots to force him out.
Gervais is most definitely a quality defensemen in this league. He’s only what 23 years old??? He’s probably a 3/4 or definetely a 5/6 pairing type.
And Fritz should never wear an Islanders jersey again. I like the guys willingness… but he is NOT what this team needs.
oh and… DRAFT TAVARES!!!
DOC
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MJS says:
Steve S #22 – good point on Detroit, not so good on Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh had Eric Godard and Hal Gill that fill the tough guy role. Obviously Gill isn’t really an enforcer, but he is still the big slow “old-NHL” type of defenceman. Godard, on the other hand, is more or less only good for bothering people and dropping the gloves as his stats are 71GP 2g, 2a, 4pts, 171 PIMs.
A team like the Isles needs an enforcer, or at least a fourth line that will go out and hit. When Kyle Okposo, Josh Bailey, (hopefully) John Tavarez, and Mark Streit are the big time players on your team you need someone that can protect them. The best players on the team are not overly physical. So, while it is a different league, the team DOES need an enforcer, or at least two more Tim Jackman type players just so the team can keep up in physical games.
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Irish Isle says:
I would rather see Sim on the Island getting 4th line playing time, then a kid on the fourth line. As the kids need playing time, whether it be on the Island or somewhere else.
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DLR says:
agreed, we need an enforcer . In general, we need more toughness . Sim is a trooper and lets give him some credit. We all have bad starts…why would we give Gordon the benefit of the doubt and not Sim? What the heck has Gordon earned? I hope Sim cracks the opening lineup.
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Joe P. says:
Really #24? Detroit’s soft, non-physical style hasn’t been good since 97? Then who won the cup last year, and is in the final four this year? That wasn’t the Red Wings, they haven’t been good since 97. Both Sim and Hilbert need to be gone if this team is serious about winning, we have too many ‘character’ players with no skill playing in skill slots. We need more skill, size, and franchise-type players. And no, we do not need Rechlicz, team toughness is far more important.
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#28 – You’re basically right. We can start talking about character players again the next time the Isles make the playoffs.
As for Detroit, they don’t always have enforcers, but they can hang in games that get physical because they have guys like Holmstrom, Kronwall, Stuart, etc. that can hit and open up the game for the skill players. Pittsburgh can do that too. Malkin plays soft, but he uses his size when he needs to and they have energy guys like Max Talbot. For the Isles to have success they are going to need to grow some guys that are natural grinders, because they have players that are “grinders,” but only a few that can play physical or drop the gloves and then make a pass or tip a puck in front of the net.
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If this team wants to win it cannot have guys like Sim, Hilbert, Martinek on it.
Reichlecz is a must and will only get better.
Jackman is a hard worker but easily replaced. He doesn’t score much and isn’t even a great middle weight. This is why as the Isles add skill they must continue to add guys who have the blend of skill and toughness.
Team toughness is an absolute joke. When guys say that it is because they have nothing and they are hoping they can push and shove and look respectable. Team toughness got the Isles no where except Okposo’s wrist slashed, Nielsen with a blow to the head, the youngsters constantly having guys going after them. You’ll remember in the last Carolina game a player constantly cheap shotting Streit and Okposo until Reichlecz handled him, then the Isles didn’t have to put up with that crap the rest of the game.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
4th line 4 mins a game is no place for a kid developing … if the kid isn’t good enough to play on the 3rd line on the Isles … he belongs getting minutes at Bridgeport for further development … Sim is the perfect stop gap till Martin, Joensuu or DiBo is ready to make the leap … Sim is a low grade pest, and “had” some speed so can kill penalties … and hey … he can pot 12-15 goals a year if given ice time … Sim in a contract year will play much better one would expect.
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UIF says:
It was disappointing that he had to be waived twice. Even if Gordon was at fault, you would think Sim’s attitude would have changed once he was waived the first time and there were no takers. At that point, you’re really not in a position to do anything but keep quiet and do what you’re told, I would think. I guess he did better right before he was waived again, so maybe he did get the message after all. Let’s see what he does at camp.
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I think if anything it’s time to retire the number 16. The last good person to wear that number was Ziggy Palffy. However, I think the retired number belongs to Mr. Pat Lafontaine. I would definitely like to see his number go in the rafters this year.
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Chris Mc says:
Agree with you totally #33 about Pat Lafontaines number hanging from the rafters in the new stadium when the Lighthouse is built. Ok sorry, needed a moment of optimism bc here comes the negativity.
Jon Sim is the classic case of ‘need a change of scenery’ The only problem is nobody wants him. So unfortunately, unless someone goes down in the preseason (cross your fingers no one does), Sim will be again leading the young Sound Tigers against the rest of the AHL. His attitude just isn’t what you need on a team trying to rebuild its roster and image.
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Dank516 says:
Jon Sim would have had an amazing year with Nolan if he hadn’t been injured. He was a Ted Nolan Guy! By the way, I just wanna take a moment to recognize Bill Guerin and the fact that hes going to the Cup this year! Good for Billy!
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Adam says:
I never had a big problem with Sim. He always seemed to be a scapegoat in my opinion, but people see things differently. I would have no problem with him on the 4th line next year. Hilbert, on the other hand, is the biggest waste of space in the league. Let him go, nobody wants him. I don’t know where the martinek hating has come from though. He is clearly a nhl quality dman. He is not physical, but he is a great skater, great at using his stick to poke the puck away, and he has a little offensive upside when given a chance.
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jon sim is enjoying playing the game he loves. Playing injured. Inspiring other players. For that type of player. I could find a place for him on my roster. Let him split time with tambellini..now there is a waste of talent for ya.
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Ben says:
Lafontaine was a very good player. No argument there. In fact, I think he scored directly off a faceoff in his first game!
However, all of my respect for him went out the window when he decided to be a hold out because he wasn’t happy with his contract-stating basically that he wanted more money before he was going to play again.
That was total bull . .. A contract is a contract. He probably had an argument, but he signed the contract and a deal is a deal. He should have been pointing his finger and making his demands to his agent and asked for more money from him – not the Islanders.
Sorry, no place for Lafontaine in any Islander rafters – at any time!
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Frankly I like a guy who is a no-nonsense pro. I believe he was a solid winger in Atlanta, a scrapper. Maybe he needed a FULL year coming off that ACL. And maybe Gordon gives him a break – and Sim gives Coach one too. Just look at what Melky Cabrera has done with the Yanks this year. So what I love about Sim is that he is NO B.S. We could all use more people like that.
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Oh yeah.. what is Tamby gonna do for this team? Score 30 goals? I don’t think so. I’d rather have Sim wreaking havoc.
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Justin says:
I have no problem with Sim getting time on the 4th line. That is as long as the other three lines are producing at a decent rate. I think Sim giving the same ice time as Tambellini would score as many if not more goals.
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Pete says:
He sucks, I would rather give the spot to a kid.
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Joe said
“Detroits soft, non-physical style hasnt been good since 97, the last year they won the cup they had Downey and McCarty.”Ummm…they won the Cup last year and you might want to turn a game on. They are not soft at all.
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steveO says:
I yelled out to Jon Sim that he sucks and he had to prove himself during warm-ups and my friend said he saw Tampy tell him that.next time sim came around he shot a puck directly at me. its probably got to him and Gordan could of heard something and why they have a problem, he scored a goal that night
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jonsson3 says:
I like your attitude Simmer but don’t think you’ll have a spot here next year. Thanks for all your hard work and good luck wherever you go!
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Rob says:
Sim should be back in bridgeport. He better not take a roster slot of like joensuu. Thy better not happen
I loved the wrecker. He sparked the team and I hope he makes the team. He can act. Fight not like jackman aka jackass
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chris says:
Jon Sim Sucks. Period.
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JKP on LI says:
If teams made personnel decisions based on who got hated on in blog comments, nobody would be in the NHL. As far as team toughness, every team NEEDS to be team tough to effectively deter the other team from taking liberties. Enforcers who play 5 minutes a game and fight each other…how is that a deterrent? You need someone on every line who can respond physically if the other team is taking liberties.
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FIsles says:
In other news, Kurtis McLean has signed with a team in the Finnish elite league.
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isles72 says:
have to respect that he loves the game more than the politics involved in sending him down
good luck either way simmer.
btw -its not his fault that the isles are/or were made up of too many redundent parts
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Honnold says:
Jon Sim contributed more to the team last year than Mike Sillinger, yet people seem to worship Sillinger. Someone even wrote a column speculating on Sillinger mounting a comeback. Weird double standards in fandom. Give the guy a break. He’s been less of waste of salary than Sillinger.
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Tond says:
he was a bad signing in the first place, not as a player but where was he gonna fit.
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Spartiarti - RVC says:
Its not that nobody doesnt want Sim. They just feel he is not worth $1MM a yr.
We are stuck with him. Put him on 4th line, and dont resign Hilbert. We cant have another year of Hilbert taken Precious icetime away from someone that can actually score. Sorry Guys the Hilbert is great PKer excuse is getting old. Park, Sim, okposo, Nielsen, Hunter, Jackman can all play the PK.
I dont like Sim either. He would be another wasted roster spot.
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Alex O says:
I do not want either of Sim or Hilbert on the team. If there isnt a younger cheaper player that can take 4th line minutes from the AHL club we are in bigger trouble with our development than we think. I do not believe n handing out jobs but 4th line minutes????
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Honnold – Sillinger centered the Islanders most consistently effective line in 06-07, helping them to the playoffs by shutting down other teams’ top lines while still contributing 26 goals and 59 points…plus winning almost every key faceoff he took. For a more accurate comparison to Sim’s stats, in 07-08, Sillinger played only 52 games, many of them injured, and still had 14 goals, contributed defensively, and continued to win key faceoffs. Sim played 59 games with 9 goals, and was a liability everywhere on the ice except for the last few games he played on the Island. You’re comparing last year’s stats, when Sim played 59 games and Sillinger played a whopping 7. Even with the bionic hip and advanced age, give me Sillinger over Sim any day of the week.
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Dan says:
Bring him into camp see what he can do. You have to pay him either way so whats the harm. This team needs people who bust their but and he was doing that in Bridgeport….
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All Isles fans REVOLT!! says:
If Simer has been all that they say, down in bridgport and deserves a chance with the big club. Flash needs to put the past behind him and same for Sim and start off with a clean slate. The past is in the past and so far he has been the best player on the bridge so shouldn’t the best prospect get the chance, he’s earned it by this point just like a poster said about Melky Cabrera on the Yanks. The kid was sent down to the minors only to come up and lose his position to a 2nd year prospect in Brett Gardner. Melk Man didn’t pout or sulk and when given the opirtunity he went out with something to prove, forced Girardi to keep in as the starting center feilder and never looked back. This is the way to manage a team.
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I think Gilbert ha a decent season, why is everyone so down on him as a 4th liner? I think he’s a very good 4th liner
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Marc from Troy says:
Sorry in advance for the length of this, CB, but I couldn’t just let go of some of what’s been posted here:
re: (17) and other similar comments… “doesn’t bring anything to the team” – Maybe check the team stats again. Sim’s 9 goals in only 49 games (per team web site, not 59) is equal to or more than several guys who got more regular ice time and more games. Last I checked, scoring goals is a problem on this team, and even on 3rd line I’ll bet a healthy Sim could help with that.
re: (24)… Detroit’s “style hasn’t been good since ’97, the last year they won the cup” – Where to start with that. How about with their 3 Cups and 4 President’s Trophies since then? That’s not good enough for you?
And, btw, here’s the number of playoff games Godard has appeared in for Pitt this year: 0.
re: (32)… Rechlicz “is a must”, but Jackman is “easily replaced”?? Get back to me when Rechlicz can play more than a few minutes a game, can score the occasional goal, and can kill penalties the way Jackman does.
re: (36)… Sim’s “attitude just isn’t what you need” – Did you even read CB’s story?
I’m not saying Sim HAS to be on this team in the fall, or anything close to that, but how about a little objectivity around here? Maybe throw in some accuracy while we’re at it. Some of you are so intent on jamming your prejudices against certain players and/or ideas about what the team HAS to have to be successful (TEAM NEED ENFORCER!) that you may as well be making up the stuff you’re using to support your arguments.
Understand if you delete this, CB, but I just couldn’t take some of this stuff. Hope to see you at the draft party.
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Mikey says:
Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I remember Sim getting waived for the second time and banished to Bridgeport right after a Logan article extensively quoted a “veteran player on the team” about Gordan’s coaching style. The source for the article repeatedly bashed Gordan to Newsday. Given Logan’s effusive praise of Sim ever since, I would not be surprised if Sim was the guy who went against the coach. If that is the case, he will rightfully rot in Bridgeport next year. The guy is a scrub, so good riddance.
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Frustrated Voter says:
#37 I agree. Pittsburgh made a great trade for Bill Guerin. You have to wonder why Washington didn’t trade a 2nd round pick for Guerin. I’ll bet you that Washington is regretting it now as they watch the Penguins on TV. Ovechkin and Guerin on a same line would have been cool to watch.
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Wow there have been some WaCkY comments on here. 1st of all – Whoever said the team will lose as long as Martinek and Gervais are on the team is so off base. Gervais is still young and we all know it takes a long time for Dmen to develop ESPECIALLY on BAD teams. He showed promise playing Streit. Martinek – come on – really? WHEN in the lineup, he thinks and sees the game very well and is RARELY caught out of position – he’s as solid as they come (of course I’m talking about his game, not his bones). As far as Sim: Better Sim taking 4th line time with motivation to prove himself, than letting a young guy waste away back there with minimal ice time, especially since Sim will be paid no matter what – might as well use him. Also, how much more ice time does Tambellini need? The only thing he has on Sim is youth, and it doesn’t seem to be helping him that much. My prediction: Barring a trade Sim starts out with 4th line/pk mins to replace Hilbert and Tamby starts out on 2nd/3rd line, eventually swapping places with Sim. It’ll be interesting to watch 2 guys with something to prove, and who knows? Maybe they both will come through?
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Blizzard says: Sim is not the answer, we do not need anymore players of his ilk. I say jettison him, and Hilbert who sucks too.
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Valentino says:
We have 4 lines of nobodies with the exception of Okposo
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Jethro09 says:
Sim’s coming back. Great…Fantastic…
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#48 – “Sim should be back in bridgeport. He better not take a roster slot of like joensuu.”
I have to completely disagree on this on, and this is coming from someone who is higher on JJ, than he is on Franz Nielsen and some of the other young players. Take the way the Mets are handling their best prospect Fernando Martinez. The Mets will not bring him up if he is simply going to be a pinch hitter. They know for his development he needs consistent playing time. He will grow more as a player playing/starting everyday in he minors then he would as a pinch hitter in the major league. Same goes for the 4th line. If we want JJ to develop into an impact player he needs playing time. If he is slotted as a 4th liner, he will not recieve the playing time he needs to develop, thus its better for him to develop in the minors, and when then called up, get some 2/3 line time and show what he can do.
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Gina 319 says:
Thank you Chris Botta for the update on Sim and for giving him the respect he deserves, that he obviously did not receive from most islanders fans. The man had reconstructive knee surgery. I bet not one of the “he Sucks” crowd would be able to play hockey after that and be successful. Playing the entire AHL playoffs round with injuries? Impressive to me, and shows a dedicated team player. What’s so wrong with that? Nothing in my book.
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Cool…he has grit and what not. But I see little to no skill in him, why waste time on what he might be, has been, or has done in Bridgeport…
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D-man says:
can someone… in a somewhat smart way please explain to me why the hate by so many? i seriously don’t know. all i do know is he was injured… out for a long time… came back…. had trouble and didn’t mesh with gordon’s system like many others and was sent down and played well. i can see not liking a player but why the seething personal hatred? seriously… can someone who has this hate explain where it comes from? not explaining why you dislike but why you really really hate.
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Maybe thell trade Som to pittsburg witht he rest the islanders to win the cup!
i just dont know where he will fit. in fact it just seems like we have too many people under contract. i expect garth to make some moves draft day to october.