Avery comments & suspension

[esteef 2,679]

Esteef is referring to comments he made in a post game press conference when there were live cameras on him. Good example in my mind, almost hypocritical in a sense because he was able to shout obscenities towards someone and now he comes back and acts like Sean has committed a sin.

Exactly. I found this part the most interesting though:

"So, you can insult an opponent's girlfriend in the lowest possible terms on the ice within earshot of the most expensive seats where little Johnny is sitting with his dad, but if little Johnny hears something nasty while watching "SportsCenter," that's a different universe entirely."

What's the difference? The "fan" is hearing the language in both cases. Filth is OK as long as it's in person?

esteef

[HenrikRules40 14]

Exactly. I found this part the most interesting though:

"So, you can insult an opponent's girlfriend in the lowest possible terms on the ice within earshot of the most expensive seats where little Johnny is sitting with his dad, but if little Johnny hears something nasty while watching "SportsCenter," that's a different universe entirely."

What's the difference? The "fan" is hearing the language in both cases. Filth is OK as long as it's in person?

esteef

I once got yelled at by the lady sitting in front of me at a Wings game for cussing too much. She was mad because her son was sitting next to her and I was dropping f-bombs. We were sitting two rows behind the Wings bench so all we were hearing were cuss words. The ironic part? She yelled at me while I was cussing out Sean Avery.

[OsGOD 3]

Exactly. I found this part the most interesting though:

"So, you can insult an opponent's girlfriend in the lowest possible terms on the ice within earshot of the most expensive seats where little Johnny is sitting with his dad, but if little Johnny hears something nasty while watching "SportsCenter," that's a different universe entirely."

What's the difference? The "fan" is hearing the language in both cases. Filth is OK as long as it's in person?

esteef

Well yeah because if its on TV is obviously fake... i mean ass and ***** have made appearances for years on primetime TV... trying saying ***** at a hockey game every so often... you get weird looks and usually angry looks.

[uk_redwing 495]

I once got yelled at by the lady sitting in front of me at a Wings game for cussing too much. She was mad because her son was sitting next to her and I was dropping f-bombs. We were sitting two rows behind the Wings bench so all we were hearing were cuss words. The ironic part? She yelled at me while I was cussing out Sean Avery.

Bad Rabs.

[Mors 201]

I once got yelled at by the lady sitting in front of me at a Wings game for cussing too much. She was mad because her son was sitting next to her and I was dropping f-bombs. We were sitting two rows behind the Wings bench so all we were hearing were cuss words. The ironic part? She yelled at me while I was cussing out Sean Avery.

This happens to me at almost every game I go to

I see a lot of people at the games who are too busy texting or talking on their phones to even pay attention, I've even seen a guy reading the newspaper during the game before...yet they all get very offended when someone who actually WANTS to watch the game uses any foul language. To me it's ironic.

[HenrikRules40 14]

Bad Rabs.

Who me? :angel:

This happens to me at almost every game I go to

I see a lot of people at the games who are too busy texting or talking on their phones to even pay attention, I've even seen a guy reading the newspaper during the game before...yet they all get very offended when someone who actually WANTS to watch the game uses any foul language. To me it's ironic.

My uncle had scored those tickets from work and took me to the game because he knew I am such a big fan. He laughed at me so hard when I got yelled at. He was like, at least fake acting like a lady when we're in public! In response, I quit cussing Avery out and started cussing the lady out in a different language.

I totally know how you feel!!! I wanna smash all those phones and trip all those chicks in heels waiting to pick up guys. It's a hockey game!!! You don't see me in a club shirt at the pre-game skate!!! Stupid puck bunnies.

Wait, where was I? Yeah it seems unreasonable that they would be offended by cussing at a hockey game. Hey do you think next time we should cuss out people reading or texting? I'm down.

[JayUp88 1]

I see a lot of people at the games who are too busy texting

Hey I text at a game but its always about the game..... does that make it ok? most of the time if giving my friend in the military info on whats going on because he can't watch.

[Guest Shoreline]

Yes, but did Tortorella have a history of suspensions already from the league?

Oh wait... neither does Avery.

How is that an argument that Avery shouldn't be suspended?

[Inultus 12]

Something I find kind of ironic in this thread is that many of the arguments have been based on "what's good" for hockey. I would suggest that what's good for hockey and what gets more media coverage are two different things, at least in cases like this.

Bad press is bad press. The Moore incident, Chris Simon, this thing with Avery they are all black eyes to a mostly respectable sport. People aren't going to stop watching because they are disgusted with Pronger's behavior. Do they stop watching baseball when they find out about corked bats and steroids? Do they stop watching football because of Michael Vick? Do they stop watching soccer in Europe because of trampled people?

No, people will watch the sport they like because they like it, regardless of the actions of the players, coaches or referees.

I think that hockey inherently has less fans because of the structure. For one thing, it is the hardest of the four major sports to play, and also to follow as a fan. I've played all four sports, but most people can't do that. Most people can't skate well enough to play. That right there causes some people not to care about it. Others think it is too boring because of the low scoring. And yet how does baseball have so much more of a following then? Well, baseball and hockey are polar opposites in many ways.

Hockey also does not have enough exposure, which I think is the factor which impacts the fanbase the most. Some of this is the NHL's fault for sure.

However, each one of us must take on responsibility to bring new fans to the fold. Our passion is what will lure them. I play hockey and I've had many people come to watch me play, sitting in the cold arena on an uncomfortable bench. I invite people to watch or go to games all the time. I would say I've turned at least 20 people on to watching hockey that did not before I met them.

It is the lukewarm fans that buy the seats at the Joe who are to blame for our crappy fanbase. It's the companies who buy out seats but don't give the tickets to people who care. It's the expansion teams that start up in places where no one cares.

Perhaps that's just the way it is and Sean Avery will have to be the only reason why the NHL gets mentioned by major publications.

Or, maybe some of us can pick up the ball and spread the sport.

[egroen 384]

How is that an argument that Avery shouldn't be suspended?

Saying f*ck to the national media is not worth a suspension, but sloppy seconds apparently is. The league will typically come down hard on someone who has a history of suspensions (ala Simon, though Pronger does not count), yet this is Avery's first suspension. He should not have been suspended (he should get a hefty fine), but a suspension for numerous games is a complete joke.

An article I agree with:

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/2072...s-ackwards.html

There’s absolutely no question the Dallas Stars should buy Sean Avery out of his four-year contract.

After all, they’re on the hook for $15.5 million for a guy who is tied for 210th place in NHL scoring. They’re taking up almost $4 million in cap space a year for a player who is on pace for 10 goals this season. He was purchased on the premise that the New York Rangers couldn’t win without him in the lineup last season, but going into last night’s game against Calgary, Avery had played every game and the Stars were last in the Western Conference.

But please, enough of this tongue-clucking and moral indignation over his totally inappropriate comments concerning his former girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert, who just happens to be dating Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf.

It looks as though the NHL, which couldn’t suspend Avery quickly enough, is poised to come down hard on a player who has never been suspended before and fined only twice for what has come out of his mouth.

The Dallas Stars, who were only too happy to sign him, expressed their disgust, saying they would have suspended him themselves if the NHL hadn’t seen fit to do so. A number of commentators are calling for Avery’s head, saying the NHL should use its broad moral powers to kick Avery out of the league or the Stars should invoke a morality clause to void his contract. A 10-game suspension for this nonsense is expected.

So, I ask, where was all this moral indignation when Bryan Allen two-handed Henrik Zetterberg and broke his leg a few years back? Why isn’t everyone scrambling to occupy the moral high ground when players are getting stepped on and having their heads driven into the boards?

Just so we all have this straight: John Zeiler gets three games for his boarding/check-from-behind/headshot to Adam Foote and Mike Mottau gets two games for a flying elbow at the head of Frans Nielsen. Funny how nobody ever talks about how potentially ending another player’s career is “detrimental to the league or game of hockey.”

Then you have commentators on all-sports stations rebuking Avery as though Cuthbert was their own daughter. Please. These are the same outlets that, moments after expressing their disgust with Avery, chose to replay the tape of his comments dozens of times. If it were so offensive, why did they have to keep showing us what Avery said?

Part of the problem here is this whole Avery thing is as much an indictment of the media and society at large as it is of Avery. We’re the ones who give people such as Avery the platform, then we express outrage and indignation when they spew garbage.

Avery is a marginal player who should be ignored, but there they were, a dozen reporters waiting patiently for him to emerge and speak. And you can bet they were all there because their bosses instructed them to hang in until Avery spoke because you never know what’s going to come out of his mouth.

That’s rich. They’re complicit in setting up the whole thing, then continue to perpetuate by showing it ad nauseam, then look down their noses at Avery for saying what he said. And just in case you didn’t see or hear it the first 15 times we ran it, here it is again. Isn’t that terrible?

Then the Stars themselves get all uppity about Avery. After all, they couldn’t have possibly seen this coming.

Perhaps that’s why, in an interview on Sept. 6, co-GM Brett Hull said of Avery: “To me, this team has always been too mechanical, too unemotional. I want to get some personality, I want to put some waves in the water – and he’s the perfect guy…I think he will make us a better team.”

Then fellow GM Les Jackson added: “We know we have to overpay to get a free agent, so you have to find a free agent who will fit what you need and who can give you value for the length of his contract. That’s what we saw.”

Now the Stars will try to get out of a bad contract and some think they should invoke a morality clause to do it.

I’d love to see them try that one.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Something I find kind of ironic in this thread is that many of the arguments have been based on "what's good" for hockey. I would suggest that what's good for hockey and what gets more media coverage are two different things, at least in cases like this.

Bad press is bad press. The Moore incident, Chris Simon, this thing with Avery they are all black eyes to a mostly respectable sport. People aren't going to stop watching because they are disgusted with Pronger's behavior. Do they stop watching baseball when they find out about corked bats and steroids? Do they stop watching football because of Michael Vick? Do they stop watching soccer in Europe because of trampled people?

No, people will watch the sport they like because they like it, regardless of the actions of the players, coaches or referees.

I think that hockey inherently has less fans because of the structure. For one thing, it is the hardest of the four major sports to play, and also to follow as a fan. I've played all four sports, but most people can't do that. Most people can't skate well enough to play. That right there causes some people not to care about it. Others think it is too boring because of the low scoring. And yet how does baseball have so much more of a following then? Well, baseball and hockey are polar opposites in many ways.

Hockey also does not have enough exposure, which I think is the factor which impacts the fanbase the most. Some of this is the NHL's fault for sure.

However, each one of us must take on responsibility to bring new fans to the fold. Our passion is what will lure them. I play hockey and I've had many people come to watch me play, sitting in the cold arena on an uncomfortable bench. I invite people to watch or go to games all the time. I would say I've turned at least 20 people on to watching hockey that did not before I met them.

It is the lukewarm fans that buy the seats at the Joe who are to blame for our crappy fanbase. It's the companies who buy out seats but don't give the tickets to people who care. It's the expansion teams that start up in places where no one cares.

Perhaps that's just the way it is and Sean Avery will have to be the only reason why the NHL gets mentioned by major publications.

Or, maybe some of us can pick up the ball and spread the sport.

My only disagreement here is that bolded statement is aimed at people that already watch hockey.

I would argue that the non fan, who happens to like football and maybe MMA or other more physical sports would be more inclined to watch the Flames Stars game if Avery were allowed to have played in it.

People who aren't going to watch hockey ever would view Avery's comments as validation that they want no part of watching the sport.

People who may be inclined to watch a game for reasons such as physicality, rivalries, fights, drama, villains and a good storyline, etc....but may never watch hockey may have wanted to tune into that game given the pre game press and buildup.

I'm not saying that I condone what Avery said. But I don't believe suspending him did the sport any good.

Does anybody not a fan of hockey really give 2 s***s about the league suspending him? Does anyone think a non fan is going to become a fan because he was suspended?

If you had to bet a month's salary which of these 2 scenarios would draw more viewers which would you choose?

1. Leaving Avery in to play the Stars and hyping the game and controversy would draw more viewers

or

2. Suspending Avery was such a proper move that non fans would be more inclined to check out an NHL game now because the league did the noble thing and didn't take Avery's crap.

I've never met a single person who said "you know, I don't watch hockey, but when they suspended that guy I thought, WOW! This league sure is noble and honorable and they don't let jerkoff players run the show...I think i'll check it out"

Conversely, I've met tons of people who were not fans but couldn't wait to see a Wings/ Avs matchup because of the rivalry and hatred. I have a friend in Columbus who is lukewarm about hockey but asked me immediately when the Senators and Flyers were going to meet up again after the big brawl a couple years back because he wanted to see what happened next.

Honestly, very rarely do the words a player speak actually draw enough attention to bring in more fans. It's the product of the actual game that got played and the anticipation of a rematch that usually does it.

The problem is the NHL has some great stories to follow and some things they could hype other than the Winter Classic. How about so Cal rivalries or the Battle of Alberta. You know why non hockey fans would never know what the hell the battle of Alberta is? Because no player from either Edmonton or Calgary would ever come out nationally and be quoted as saying "I hate those f...cking Oilers and they're going to get what's coming to them next time we play" or something to that effect.

The NHL needs face time. And they need charismatic, off color, not so PC guys to do it. Does anybody eagerly anticipate the next thing Tom Brady or Tony Romo is going to say? HELL NO! People by and large aren't moved to excitement by the guy who gives the nice, PC response to questions about playing their game, facing a tough opponent and respect and blah fecking blah.... They want to see what T.O. is going to say next. They want to see Ryan Leaf lose his s***. They want to see a guy run over another guy for disrespecting the Star in Dallas, they want to see a player face off against a team or ex quarterback that he's been badmouthing prior to the game.

Peyton Manning and Joe Sakic types will always grab the hearts of the true fan. But it's the TO and Randy Moss and Sean Avery and such, the smack talking, trash talking, villian who gets people's attention.

[Coolio Mendez 7]

My first reaction was like yours, they suspended him for saying that!!

I watch it a few more times and see that he is asking to ensure the cameras are running, it is like he his running his own little mini press conference. It was planned and not an off the cuff remark. Does that change anything, not really although I would have enjoyed it more as a off the cuff remark, the fact that it was planned makes me think he should spend a bit more time planning for games and less on his "persona".

I think they suspended him to save the embarrassment of what may have happened in the game. I can't see him getting more than a game or 2.

What I found more interesting was the reaction of the Stars, ownership and players. Hicks releases statement saying that had the league not suspended him they would have. Turco and Modano were certainly not flattering. Surprisingly not a peep out of his biggest supporter Hull.

I guess the bigger question is , does Dallas use this situation to justify getting rid of him and correcting their signing error. Does anyone want him at almost 4M? doesn't seem to be the same player he was with the Rangers?

Probably lots sloppy seconds, thirds and fourths hanging around in the minor leagues.

Phaneuf was a minus 3 that night. His comments may have had an effect.

[esteef 2,679]

I guess the bigger question is , does Dallas use this situation to justify getting rid of him and correcting their signing error. Does anyone want him at almost 4M? doesn't seem to be the same player he was with the Rangers?

Probably lots sloppy seconds, thirds and fourths hanging around in the minor leagues.

Phaneuf was a minus 3 that night. His comments may have had an effect.

This is what I don't get, he's doing exactly what Hullie is paying him to do. Be non-"vanilla".

esteef

[babycks0612 0]

I dont comment too much on here anymore but I felt like I had to on this topic. I think its crazy how much attention this is getting. If you dont know by now thats what Avery does he likes to push the boundaries and likes to get under peoples skin. I am a fan of his and always will be no matter what anyone says. I think its a stupid thing to say but who cares its not like he swore or anything goodness it might not have been the appropriate time to say something like that at a hockey game but I dont think he should have gotten suspended. He says what he wants and thats why I like him. He goes too far sometimes which isnt always good but thats who he is and he dont change for no one. I like you Avery

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Here he is, the man who's gonna save the NHL.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

When I see that picture in my peripheral vision, it looks like he's wearing a big ol' eyepatch.

I'd roll with that look.

[esteef 2,679]

Here he is, the man who's gonna save the NHL.

HOT. :carrot:

[NC WINGS FAN 5]

Is this really any reason to suspend the guy indefinitely? A fine I can see, but a suspension? If Pronger would have said that, this probably would not have happened. It was a silly thing to say but not suspension worthy imo.

[NC WINGS FAN 5]

Why is everyone getting all hot and bothered about this? It is not like he killed/beat his wife/girlfriend, lied about taking controlled substances under oath, shot himself in the leg while carrying a concealed weapon, raped anyone, was in a drive-by shooting, drug trafficking, killing dogs, or even getting a DUI or anything!!! All he did was say something stupid and now people want to crucify him while their boys in the NFL, NBA, and MLB do of the above, which is almost all of the time. Having said that, I think the league has bigger fish to fry than some jackass calling his ex-girlfriend "Sloppy Seconds". Try promoting the league for once and getting us back on ESPN instead of continuing to make a joke of the league Buttman you moron!!!!

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Why is everyone getting all hot and bothered about this? It is not like he killed/beat his wife/girlfriend, lied about taking controlled substances under oath, shot himself in the leg while carrying a concealed weapon, raped anyone, was in a drive-by shooting, drug trafficking, killing dogs, or even getting a DUI or anything!!! All he did was say something stupid and now people want to crucify him while their boys in the NFL, NBA, and MLB do of the above, which is almost all of the time. Having said that, I think the league has bigger fish to fry than some jackass calling his ex-girlfriend "Sloppy Seconds". Try promoting the league for once and getting us back on ESPN instead of continuing to make a joke of the league Buttman you moron!!!!

Because it is Sean Avery who did this. Chris Pronger, as much as we hate him, knows when to keep his mouth shut and not act like a drama queen or an attention *****. Chris Pronger knows not to intentionally piss people off by making controversial comments to the press. Sean Avery doesn't, and has done this many times when he easily could have kept quiet, which is a major reason why he is getting suspended. Sean Avery talks too much for his own good and is too controversial for his own good. Maybe not talk too much, but talks too much like an idiot for his own good.

Edited December 5, 2008 by SouthernWingsFan

[Dabura 12,232]

Because it is Sean Avery who did this. Chris Pronger, as much as we hate him, knows when to keep his mouth shut and not act like a drama queen or an attention *****. Chris Pronger knows not to intentionally piss people off by making controversial comments to the press.

Pronger also isn't as popular as Avery, meaning his actions don't grab as much media attention, meaning the bad things he does generally aren't going to damage the league as much as the bad things that Avery does will. I feel like I've explained this quite a few times already...

[jellytoast 1]

Hully has become such a tool in all this. It's obv. they want to dump SA's 'tract!

[egroen 384]

The Stars approached the Manitoba Moose about potentially taking Avery and they said they would never take him under any circumstance. And this was PRIOR to the latest incident.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=258453&amp...topRelated_main

Personally, my opinion of the Stars is really going down through all this. I don't care how much of a dick Avery might be, he is a teamate and he is not the sole reason that team is suffering. They are completely throwing him under the bus and scapegoating him here. Turco and Modano are such whiney *******.

Edited December 5, 2008 by egroen

[Opie 308]

I love the first post in the comments section:

I hear Russia is nice this time of year

[egroen 384]

I hear Russia is nice this time of year

WWIII