Simpson’s Misconduct Penalty Is Repealed

Defenseman Todd Simpson received a pardon from NHL officials Wednesday when they repealed his game misconduct penalty from last Thursday’s Nashville game.

Simpson was given the penalty for not having his jersey tied down during a long and bloody fight with Predator Scott Walker.

“It was very clear on the video that it was tied down,” Duck General Manager Bryan Murray said. “It was only at the last moment that both sweaters came undone.”

The Ducks were concerned about Simpson, a rugged defenseman, receiving a game misconduct penalty so early in the season. A player is suspended for one game after receiving three game misconduct penalties, then one game for every additional misconduct he receives.

“You don’t want too many of those,” Simpson said. “You could run into trouble later in the year.”

Despite the repeal, Simpson remained unhappy that he was ejected from the game. The fight occurred near the end of a scoreless first period. The Ducks had to play with five defensemen and Nashville came away with a 3-1 win.

“It was really frustrating at the time,” Simpson said. “It was disappointing because you want to help the team but have to sit out. But I guess I got vindicated.”

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Finding silver linings in an 0-3 start, when you’ve scored only two goals, takes some digging. But the play of rookie Joffrey Lupul has impressed both Murray and Coach Mike Babcock.

“The Lupul kid seems to making some strides,” Babcock said. “He’s working. As long as he continues to work, he has a chance to get better. ... When you get a young guy, your only job is to teach him to work. The rest will look after itself.”

Lupul also has managed to deal with the transition from being a top-line player in juniors to skating on the Ducks’ third line.

“In juniors, every time I took the ice I had a chance to make something happen,” Lupul said. “I had to learn that isn’t going to happen here. There are a lot of shifts where I never see the offensive zone. I can’t just think ‘Offense, offense, offense.’ I have to focus on doing my job and be ready for the chances when they come.”