"Capitals' Simon to Return "
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 28, 1998; Page E2
The Washington Capitals have exercised their option to bring left wing Chris Simon back for an additional year, part of a continuing effort to keep intact the nucleus of the club that won the Eastern Conference championship in June. Simon, who signed with the Capitals in the fall of 1996, will play out his option year for $1.2 million before becoming a restricted free agent next summer.
"Chris is one of the rare players who has ability, size and toughness," General Manager George McPhee said in a statement. "He worked hard on his fitness level last summer and earned a lot of ice time prior to his injury."
Simon injured his shoulder in October, returned to play in November and aggravated the injury in December, sending him to the injured reserve list and ending his regular season with seven goals and 10 assists in 28 games. He had surgery to repair the shoulder in January and was able to return to the ice in the playoffs, where he was used mostly in a checking role. Playing with Dale Hunter and Craig Berube, Simon recorded one goal in 18 games.
In the upcoming season, the 6-foot-4 Simon will be looking to regain a more offensive role, using his size to score goals from the area close to the net as he did at the beginning of last season. The NHL rule change that will make goal creases smaller next season should also help a player with his style. In 234 career games, including playoffs, Simon has recorded 43 goals, 58 assists and 840 penalty minutes.
The Capitals also have re-signed Hunter, Joe Juneau and Brian Bellows this summer while adding defenseman Dmitri Mironov. Center Andrei Nikolishin and defenseman Sergei Gonchar remain restricted free agents.
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