from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- Excuse me if I have no sympathy for Chris Simon, one of the recent opportunists to hop aboard the apparent gravy train that is suing the National Hockey League over concussions.

Simon played for eight different teams, fought more than 100 times, was suspended on eight different occasions, and ended up with 1,824 minutes in penalties. The worst aspect of his career was the indifference and lack of respect he showed both the game and those he played against.

On occasion, he swung his stick like a baseball bat. He stomped on players. He cross checked players across the throat. It often looked like attempt to injure was just part of his nightly regimen....

- Didn’t think Pittsburgh could win a Stanley Cup with Kris Letang heading up a thin defence last season. Now, without him, can they win with Olli Maatta, Justin Schultz, Brian Dumoulin, Ron Hainsey, Chad Ruhwedel and Ian Cole on the back end?

- If you don’t love watching Erik Karlsson dance, you don’t love hockey. But does that mean I’m loving the Senators? Ah, no.

more on Simon plus additional hockey topics...