Simon's latest incident draws league's longest ban of 30 games

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- New York Islanders forward Chris Simon was banned for 30 games Wednesday, drawing the longest suspension in NHL history again.

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Simon's latest infraction was stepping on Pittsburgh's Jarkko Ruutu with his skate during a game last weekend.

The 35-year-old player went on a leave of absence Monday to receive counseling, then met with league disciplinarian Colin Campbell on Tuesday. Campbell had said Simon would receive drug and alcohol treatment, but the league later clarified that Simon's treatment simply will take place under the auspices of the league and union's substance abuse and behavioral program.

Counseling details are kept confidential. Islanders spokesman Chris Botta confirmed drugs and alcohol are "not the issue."

"The doctors who oversee the substance abuse aspect of the joint NHL/NHLPA program also oversee the aspect of behavioral health," league spokesman Frank Brown said. "It would be improper to draw any inference as to whatever treatment or counseling they may be providing."

Still, the miscommunication upset Islanders coach Ted Nolan, who coached Simon in junior hockey when Simon dealt with problems related to alcohol.

"It really bothered me, the implication, even if it was just a careless omission," Nolan said. "These types of things are very damaging for someone in (Campbell's) position to say when he has no factual information. If we said something like that, we'd be suspended. But there are no repercussions.

"Chris has a history of that type of thing and has worked extremely hard to overcome that. That's his personal life, and a statement like that could affect his reputation, and affect the rest of his life. We talk about sensitive issues, but maybe some other people need sensitivity training."

When reached by the Associated Press, Campbell said he had "no comment whatsoever about this aspect of this story."

Botta said Campbell spoke to Islanders general manager Garth Snow before the game to, "clear the air."

Earlier in the day, Campbell said the seven prior suspensions in Simon's 15-season NHL career have not been a deterrent.

"I am hoping both the 30 games ... and the actual help he's going to get and counseling he's going to get ... will help Chris and deal with the problem he has," Campbell added.

The first game of the ban was Wednesday night when the Islanders faced the Buffalo Sabres.