WASHINGTON (TICKER) -- Rugged Washington Capitals left wing Chris Simon is slated to undergo surgery on his right shoulder, which has limited him to 51 regular-season games the past two seasons.
Simon will undergo surgery next week after meeting with team doctors and other specialists to determine a date and time for the procedure and a rehabilitation schedule.
The 6-3, 219-pound Simon had three goals, seven assists and 48 penalty minutes in 23 games before being placed on injured reserve December 5th. He played in only 28 games last year before undergoing season-ending surgery to the shoulder January 12th.
Simon began the 1997-98 season with two goals and three assists in 11 games before missing five with the injury. Upon returning, he had five goals and eight assists before re-injuring the shoulder.
"Chris has not been physically able to perform to the best of his ability this season," said Capitals general manager George McPhee. "It is time to do what's necessary to allow Chris to play at the top of his game."
Simon, who is collecting $1.2 million this season after re-signing July 31st, has 43 goals, 62 assists and 806 penalty minutes during a seven-year career with the Quebec Nordiques-Colorado Avalanche and Capitals. He has 19 goals and 30 assists in 93 games with Washington.
A Stanley Cup winner with Colorado in 1996, Simon is best known for uttering a racial slur at Edmonton right wing Mike Grier, who is black, last November 9th. A Native American and member of the Ojibwa tribe, Simon apologized for the incident but was suspended three games.
Simon returned for the playoffs, totaling one goal and 26 penalty minutes in 18 games. His only postseason tally came in Game Two of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings, who swept their way to a second straight championship.