Simon Rejects Penguins Invite to Camp, Heads Home to Czech League
His Anaheim Ducks hockey bag in tow during the announcement video, Czech Elite League team Sparta Praha announced they signed former Pittsburgh Penguins winger Dominik Simon to a contract.
Penguins fans who wail and gnash their teeth at the thought of Simon in the Penguins lineup should like to know that Simon said he declined an offer from the team to attend training camp. It was while he was waiting for offers that he realized he wanted to return home to Prague.
Per the Sparta release, Simon, 28, said, “Pittsburgh offered me a camp, but while I was waiting I realized that I would actually like to be at home in Prague and in an environment that I know well. I’m glad that we agreed and I can play in Sparta. I feel very good here.”
On Friday, Zach Aston-Reese signed a PTO with the Toronto Maple Leafs. At the NHL trade deadline, the Penguins traded Aston-Reese and Simon (also a second-round pick and prospect goalie Calle Clang) to the Ducks for Rickard Rackell
In parts of six seasons, Dominik Simon played in 228 games with the Penguins. He scored 73 points (22-51-73) during those six seasons. He scored nine points last season, including three goals.
🫶 Doma je tam, kde se cítíš dobře. Vítej zpátky, Dominiku!
📲 Informace o návratu a rozhovor s Dominikem Simonem: https://t.co/zoRe1WoCaf pic.twitter.com/bV9Jbj6bzi— HC SPARTA PRAHA (@HCSpartaPraha) September 10, 2022
Categorized:Penguins
I’m one of the few that actually appreciated and liked Dominik’s game. However, I do understand the angst he created for many others. (He couldn’t put the puck in a soccer goal let alone a hockey net). But I’ll bet I’m still one of the only fans outside of his extended family that owns a #12 Simon Penguins sweater.
I liked him, thought he was under appreciated to say the least. When they traded him I actually looked for a jersey at Pens Gear but there were none. If only he was a better finisher, he would still be here. Good luck to him
Give some rookie his job! Kind of like Hags chasing offenses down but no scoring is his downfall! Loved his skating and pursuit! NHL is the class of the world and he needs to go home to be appreciated!
No objection to inviting him to camp . .. so long as it did not involve any on ice activity.
Really . .. really . .. of all the guys they could have invited to camp they decided on Simon? Wasn’t Rico Fata available?
whew!
Hope this is the last of him in any Penguins discussion. Another fringe NHLer that really belongs in the AHL. Penguins still have plenty of those fighting for the fourth line. Sportsnet has a full article on ZAR getting a PTO with the Laughs. They think he is the missing piece. He will sign for well under $1M. At that price, Pitt should have brought him back. He’s better than anyone that will be in his old spot.
What’s the definition of insanity?
If you don’t believe that the Pens are getting nervous about their bottom 6 then this should convince you…they have half a lineup and no cap space…
i think they should invite Boyle back
Simon was a “tweener”, meaning he had some NHL skill qualities, however none that made him valuable on the roster. He didn’t produce enough on the top two lines (Rodrigues is another), nor did he possess enough grit, tenacity or PK value. I thought ZAR did, and should have been brought back for the third/fourth line. Having said that, Pens have quite a few decent players that could be ahead of ZAR- I’d like to see Zohorna get a shot on the third line with Kapanen (although he’s overpaid), I think that’s the start of a great third line…
They won’t ever give Zahorna a shot.
HE
CAN’T
SKATE
Thank god.
Most of the ‘comments’ are links to other sites referencing this story…? Can’t these be filtered from being displayed?