How should the NHL deal with Chris Simon?

[CBC News]

The NHL's recent rash of on-ice thuggery continued Saturday as New York Islanders tough guy Chris Simon was ejected from his team's game against Pittsburgh for stomping on the back of the leg of the Penguins forward Jarkko Ruutu.
Simon, who sat out the first five games of this season to complete a 25-game suspension for his cross-check to the face of the Rangers' Ryan Hollweg last March, has been given a paid leave of absence by the Islanders as he awaits word from the NHL on possible punishment.
Many expect the league, which has already had its name tarnished this season by ugly incidents involving Steve Downie and Jesse Boulerice of the Philadelphia Flyers, to come down harshly on Simon. The fact that the veteran forward has already received seven suspensions in his 15 NHL seasons surely won't help his case.
What do you think is the appropriate punishment? Should Simon's checkered past factor in? Is the league doing enough to discourage further goonery? Post your comment and have your say.


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[Praxius]

I've been a Pen fan since the late 80's / early 90's (Before Crosby of course) so as a fan this is a bit of a PO.

If you want to play rough, do it right, ie: proper body checks, etc..... I'm getting sick of these punks who get paid a high dollar, who get to skate around and sucker punch other players in the back of the head, or drive their sticks into the faces of other players, or stomp someone's leg....

These are all actions which place injury on other payers and puts great risk to their careers. The only logic I see in these people for doing such acts as the above, is that they can't compete to the other player's level, so they try and take them out of the competition, or they just plain have anger issues and always want to be the tough guy....

well regardless of the mentality or their reasons, or even how many times they apologize, etc.... they should all get one, maybe two chances.... but this guy who has had several incidences on his record in the past, should be banned from the NHL, because he's clearly not going to learn any other way.

And even if he's still not going to learn, at least then he's no longer in the game to do additional harm to other respectible players.