Former Hounds sign NHL deals

A pair of former Soo Greyhounds have re-signed with their NHL clubs as Chris Simon and Ray Emery both signed new deals this week.

Emery, who was eligible for salary arbitration this season as a restricted free agent, signed a three-year contract worth $9.5 million. The deal breaks down to $2.75 million next season, $3.25 million in 2008-09 and $3.5 million in 2009-10, for an average of $3.16 million a season. Last season Emery earned $925,000.

“I'm more excited by the fact I'm staying in Ottawa long term and will have the opportunity to see the team fight to get back to the Stanley Cup final,” Emery told TSN. “So I guess it's less about being relieved and more about looking forward to the future.”

“'It was a difficult negotiation,” Emery's agent J.P. Barry told The Canadian Press. “'Bryan and I started pretty far apart but we worked hard to close the gap and were able to do so this morning after Bryan was able to speak with Mr. Melnyk.”

On Monday Chris Simon signed a new one-year contract with the New York Islanders worth $800,000 which includes a base salary of $475,000 and a games played bonus of $325,000.

Simon missed the last 15 games of the regular season and the Islanders five-game playoff loss to the Buffalo Sabres after a slashing incident involving Ryan Hollweg of the New York Rangers. Simon was suspended 25 games for the incident and will miss the first five games of the 2007-08 season.

“Chris is just one of those old school guys who gave our team a little bit of everything last season,” Islanders head coach Ted Nolan, who coached Simon in junior hockey with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds told TSN. “We can't overstate Si's leadership. He'll have a big role with our team, just like last season.”

Simon finished last season with 10 goals and 27 points in 67 games, his best offensive output since the 2001-02 season when he posted 31 points in 82 games with the Washington Capitals.

“I take a lot of pride in being an Islander and I didn't consider playing anywhere else this season but on Long Island,” said Simon. “Everyone knows the respect I have for Ted Nolan but it goes well beyond that. Everyone connected with the Islanders, from the owner to the fans, have been first-class. I cannot wait to get the season started.”