Avery's Screen

[Ontario Wingsfan 0]

Avery really has no place in the NHL. The guy is a joke.

I disagree. People can say whatever they want about his antics, personality whatever (and i'd probably agree with some of them) but there's no denying the guy has some skill.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Well since they are both problems they should both be discussed. Just because one is a bigger problem doesn't mean the other should be ignored. "Dancing" as you call it, is the issue now, which is why people are discussing it. Again, yes the JLA not being sold out is an issue..which is why it has been discussed.

Frankly I'm still waiting for your response to NFM.

I'm not quite sure either why you support something you're so obviously against.

I would assume you are referring to OsGod given the statement above the bolded one, but just wanted to be sure you know that I'm not "against" the NHL.

[OsGOD 3]

Unfortunately, if crap like this continues, dancing will turn into head breaking. everyone wanted someone from NJ to do something about it. If something like this happens again maybe an opposing player wont be so nice to him to let him off, we might see someone get leveled and suspensions handed out.

And it annoys me that many people here thinks this is funny and for that matter they like it. Hockey is supposed to be entertaining but not in a funny or comedic way, if you want to laugh at hockey, go watch slapshot.

I also think it was pretty classy of Avery to Face Broduer and let him punch him in the face while looking directly at him... rather than having Brody (or any goalie for that matter) cheaply slash and crotch shot players from behind. Pretty great to actually see a player and a goalie battle face to face.

Edited April 14, 2008 by OsGOD

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

I think the question is, do fans now want to see, on every power play, an opponent going to the front of the net and acting like a freaking clown to distract the goaltender? Imagine how ridiculous NHL games would look if a player did that on every power play.

Since I think everyone would agree that Avery was trying to distract Brodeur so that a goal could be scored, why can't a player fake a horrific injury to stop an odd man rush? If someone senses a 2 on 1 developing, they could drop to the ice and fake a seizure so that play will be stopped. "But that's just not right". Yes, it's "Unsportsmanlike Conduct". Even though it's not explicitly stated in the rule book, that is not a legal play.

Edited April 14, 2008 by McCartyFanForLife

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Funny or not it's still stupid. Would you act like that? If so, I would question your character. As a matter of fact, this is not that surprising coming from Avery. He is a character.

Bottom line on this is that people don't do it. If this was a part of the game we wouldn't be having this discussion. I understand Avery's intent, but it's still Bush League no matter how you shake it.

That's the problem with the modern NHL player. He no longer respects himself, his opponent or the game. This is a generalization of course.

I couldn't agree more with GS&T in this regard. Just because a player "can" do something, doesn't make it "acceptable". It tarnishes the integrity of the game and makes it look ridiculous and bush-league.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

I have no problem with it. I like creative play within the rules of a game. I remember one time Tiger Woods' ball was behind a small boulder and he couldn't swing and put the ball where he wanted it. Legally he nor his caddy could move the boulder, so he asked a few fans to move it so he could swing. No rules were broken, but they were changed the next season.

And that will probably be the case here, players will not be able to screen the goalie and not be watching the puck.

Edited April 14, 2008 by Wings_Dynasty

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

I would assume you are referring to OsGod given the statement above the bolded one, but just wanted to be sure you know that I'm not "against" the NHL.

Yes I'm referring to Os

[OsGOD 3]

Yes I'm referring to Os

Actually i find myself moreso against a vast majority of the fans than the NHL in general... The fans tend to lessen/cheapen the game even moreso than the lack of disciplinary actions the NHL takes.

Edited April 14, 2008 by OsGOD

[Echolalia 2,961]

Because there is nothing in the rulebook about doing what he did, I say its completely fair, and a clever strategy also. However, if this encourages every other screen player to do the same thing, then I think a rule needs to be put in place.

I guess its kinda like a Sirdrake tactic....

"Whats to stop Avery from facing the goalie when he screens and waving his stick in his face to distract him from everything else?"

[cirov19 1]

I disagree. People can say whatever they want about his antics, personality whatever (and i'd probably agree with some of them) but there's no denying the guy has some skill.

I agree with you in this. He is an all around good player... he is physical and he can score.

Although it is clear he is extremely stupid. So he should be suspended right? That doesn't mean he shouldn't be in the NHL.

You can't really say he is giving hockey a bad name either because every sport has their morons. Baseball's got guys like Barry Bonds, football has guys like Michael Vick and OJ Simpson and basketball has guy's like Kobe Bryant.

OJ and Vick aren't the best examples becauase they are no longer playing but there is no doubt how many players in football do drugs and break the law...

Edited April 14, 2008 by cirov19

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I have no problem with it. I like creative play within the rules of a game. I remember one time Tiger Woods' ball was behind a small boulder and he couldn't swing and put the ball where he wanted it. Legally he nor his caddy could move the boulder, so he asked a few fans to move it so he could swing. No rules were broken, but they were changed the next season.

And that will probably be the case here, players will not be able to screen the goalie and not be watching the puck.

I don't think the league needs to legislate this out of the game. I don't see this as a problem. What I see is 1 player who has a penchant for acting like a dumbass, doing what he does best. Finding ways to be an annoyance.

Call me old fashioned but I don't ever remember seeing Dino Ciccarelli or Dave Andreychuk or Holmstrom or Gordie Howe act like this.

The league doesn't nor should it need a rule to ban this. Players should have enough common sense and pride in what they're doing not to make themselves look like morons. Beat your opponent on the up and up. Outwork him, outplay him, see if you can get away with a hook here or a trip there, whatever. But don't resort to gimmicks to beat your opponent. And that's what this is, a gimmick.

[OsGOD 3]

My father got a little laugh out of it... It is no different than the catcher chattering with a person up to bat in baseball.

hey batter batter.. YOU SUCK! haha VERY good point!

then again the die hards against this might say... "if you like it so much... then go watch MAJOR LEAGUE "

Edited April 14, 2008 by OsGOD

[RedLightGoesOn 81]

If its not against the rules then its cool with me... granted I can understand some people being upset...what one of the Devils should have done was caught a high stick from Avery and draw a penalty... Look at the bright side...now Homer isnt being railed on for his antics anymore.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Actually i find myself moreso against a vast majority of the fans than the NHL in general... The fans tend to lessen the game even moreso than the lack of disciplinary actions the NHL takes.

Then why continue to come to a fan based message board?

[OsGOD 3]

Then why continue to come to a fan based message board?

cause i have friends on here silly face

... and despite the moronic complaints about attendance and s*** there are some nice informative posts scattered on here... its a nice treasure hunt for ye cap'n

Edited April 14, 2008 by OsGOD

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Because there is nothing in the rulebook about doing what he did, I say its completely fair, and a clever strategy also. However, if this encourages every other screen player to do the same thing, then I think a rule needs to be put in place.

I guess its kinda like a Sirdrake tactic....

"Whats to stop Avery from facing the goalie when he screens and waving his stick in his face to distract him from everything else?"

It's either wrong or its not. It's like you are saying if 1 guy does it its okay but if 5 guys do it then its not? I don't follow that reasoning.

You don't see 2nd basemen in baseball jumping up and down trying to distract the hitter. You don't see golfers standing off to the side doing the moonwalk trying to throw off the other guy's tee shot. There are probably no rules against this stuff because its called common sense and fair play. Just b/c you can do something doesn't mean you should do it.

There's a reason why the league is what, like a 100 years old and this is happening now. Integrity, pride, respect, its too bad these things are plummeting in hockey just like they did the other major sports years ago. I still think hockey is played by the toughest, most honorable athletes in pro sports. But sadly, many of the old guard are dying off and what we have now is a league filled to the brim with jackasses.

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

The NHL already has a rule in place for something like this. The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty can be used in this case. There's nothing in the rule book that says a player can't go in between the circles and do a snow angel to distract the team. Nothing in the rulebook that says a player can't shoot the puck at an opposing player on purpose. The unsportsmanlike conduct rule is in the book for situations just like this

[OsGOD 3]

Good thing the ducks never tired the Flying V in a real game...

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

cause i have friends on here silly face

You're just trying to pick up some red wing ladies

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

The NHL already has a rule in place for something like this. The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty can be used in this case. There's nothing in the rule book that says a player can't go in between the circles and do a snow angel to distract the team. Nothing in the rulebook that says a player can't shoot the puck at an opposing player on purpose. The unsportsmanlike conduct rule is in the book for situations just like this

This is really the crux of the entire issue.

Some people get what it means to be a good sport. I just thought that Redwings fans, fans of arguably the classiest organization in sports would "get it". Sadly though, as this thread has shown, there are quite a large number of folks here that just don't get it.

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

This is really the crux of the entire issue.

Some people get what it means to be a good sport. I just thought that Redwings fans, fans of arguably the classiest organization in sports would "get it". Sadly though, as this thread has shown, there are quite a large number of folks here that just don't get it.

Yeah it's pretty sad. Apparently some people don't see the line between "Playing with Class" and "Playing like an Ass"

[kylee 727]

If its not against the rules then its cool with me... granted I can understand some people being upset...what one of the Devils should have done was caught a high stick from Avery and draw a penalty... Look at the bright side...now Homer isnt being railed on for his antics anymore.

personally, i thought what Avery did was annoying - and someone should have rocked him for it, but whatever, that just falls on New Jersey.

as for Homer, i am so pleased with the way he has started this playoff run. He's throwing his body, playing confidently, and is doing what he does best by screening the goalie but not taking a penalty. we really need him to go deep in the playoffs, and so far, so good.

[Inultus 12]

I agree with you in this. He is an all around good player... he is physical and he can score.

Although it is clear he is extremely stupid. So he should be suspended right? That doesn't mean he shouldn't be in the NHL.

You can't really say he is giving hockey a bad name either because every sport has their morons. Baseball's got guys like Barry Bonds, football has guys like Michael Vick and OJ Simpson and basketball has guy's like Kobe Bryant.

OJ and Vick aren't the best examples becauase they are no longer playing but there is no doubt how many players in football do drugs and break the law...

What's your point? People like Mike Vick are punks and should never have been elevated to the point where some kind might consider them a role model. Same with Avery. Vick and Avery both give their respective sports bad names.

Avery should not have done what he did. It may not be against the rules but it doesn't belong in hockey and his own coach should tell him so if no one else does.

No self-respecting player would do something like that. Effective or not, it just shouldn't be part of the game.

[Sergeiwasmyfav 0]

This is really the crux of the entire issue.

Some people get what it means to be a good sport. I just thought that Redwings fans, fans of arguably the classiest organization in sports would "get it". Sadly though, as this thread has shown, there are quite a large number of folks here that just don't get it.

No, I do get what you are saying, GS&T, I just think that this whole situation could have been handled within the game itself if someone from the Devils had punished Avery for his behavior. I know they (the Rangers) were on a 5 on 3, so I don't mean at that very moment. But at some point throughout the rest of the game. Avery would absolutely have known what it was for. If someone on the Preds did this to Dom I would be pissed, but I can honestly say I would be more pissed if the Wings let him get away with it and no one layed him out on the ice. I think a play like this would have only happened once in the old days because the issue would have been dealt with on the ice by the players, and someone would have been beat down.

Edited April 14, 2008 by Sergeiwasmyfav

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

This is really the crux of the entire issue.

Some people get what it means to be a good sport. I just thought that Redwings fans, fans of arguably the classiest organization in sports would "get it". Sadly though, as this thread has shown, there are quite a large number of folks here that just don't get it.

This is the point I wish those that are ok with what Avery did would address. I haven't heard any solid refute to this type of comment, rather we just keep hearing how its not against the rules and he was "clever" enough to come up with it, so its ok.

It has nothing to do with being stodgy and everything to do with class and sportsmanship.