Avery comments & suspension

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

You can't say that here! It's bad for our image!!!

Here's another "NHL is a bunch of stiffs" type article that I happen to agree with alot.

NHL makes the wrong call on Avery

Sporting News - RSS Feed

Posted: December 2, 2008

The NHL needs to lighten up.

Tuesday evening, the league suspended Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery for comments he made following the Stars' morning skate in Calgary.

According to one observer, Avery waited until all the cameras were around him, then started talking.

What he said led to an indefinite suspension pending a meeting with commissioner Gary Bettman.

"I'm really happy to be back in Calgary. I love Canada," an unprovoked Avery told the gathered reporters. "I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds."

In case you're not following Avery's love life on a daily basis, he once dated actress Elisha Cuthbert who is now dating Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf. She has also been romantically linked to other hockey players.

Avery also dated Rachel Hunter, who is now the girlfriend of Los Angeles Kings forward Jarrett Stoll.

Avery concluded his statement with: "I don't know what that's about, but enjoy the game tonight."

And I planned on it. So too, did many hockey fans who might not otherwise have tuned in to a regular season game between the Calgary Flames and last-place Dallas Stars.

If nothing else, you'd at least want to see if Avery backed up his macho statement on the ice, especially after Phaneuf leveled him. If Jarome Iginla didn't flatten him first.

But, in its misguided effort to keep a squeaky-clean image, the NHL suspended Avery rather then let the drama play out on the ice.

Sports needs its villains, and the NHL refuses to play along with one of the best villains in any sport. It's a mistake, especially for a sport that could use the boost of more mainstream attention.

"I completely support the league's decision to suspend Sean Avery," Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks said in a statement. "Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have. This organization will not tolerate such behavior, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so."

Boring.

By the way, I found that quote on the Dallas Stars' team website. Meanwhile, a barefoot, busty brunette nicknamed "summercusp" invited me to chat on a video advertisement next to the press release. It was for a dating website that suggested I "Stop. Stare. Flirt."

If I wasn't on deadline, I might have spent time checking out the photo galleries of the Dallas Stars' Planet Tan Ice Girls in their favorite poses.

But I had work to do.

The Stars have no problem selling sex if it means some extra tickets or added revenue for the team website, but Avery mentions an ex-girlfriend and suddenly the Stars start talking about their "higher standard."

Sorry, I'm not impressed.

Here's the thing about Sean Avery: He's smarter than you think. Yes, his look-at-me antics get old and at times he disrespects the game.

But a lot of times his comments have a purpose. This summer, he shared a little of his thought process behind his outrageous comments.

"Sometimes I think it works on a personal level and it works on a team level. It's a long season and you have to find ways to motive yourself and motivate your teammates," Avery told Sporting News. "That's one thing I've found a knack of being good at. Sometimes the way I go about it might not be the best way or might upset people. But if you saw the results in New York it was good. I'm not going to change that at this point."

If it weren't for Avery, people talking about the Stars and this game would be talking about Marty Turco's monumental struggles in goal. They might debate whether Brett Hull is working out as a co-general manager. They'd wonder if coach Dave Tippett should be on the hot seat.

This team needed a distraction, and the Flames undoubtedly would have been distracted by Avery if the league allowed him to play.

Would it have worked? We'll never know, but we would have watched to find out.

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

Yeah. He has to serve 4 more.

Thanks,

By the way, I whole-heartedly agree with egroen and GS&T and their posts. I thought they articulated their stance very well.

[Grim 5]

This team needed a distraction, and the Flames undoubtedly would have been distracted by Avery if the league allowed him to play.[/b]

Would it have worked? We'll never know, but we would have watched to find out.

Yep... Buttman had both the Stars and any potential gawkers best interests in mind when he thought up the suspension. NOT! Avery has some baggage history. he's paying for it now. he'll likely face a misconduct penalty every time he starts something. more power to him and his lowly Stars.

[MacK_Attack 108]

The National Hockey League Players Association is planning on grieving Sean Avery's 6-game suspension.

The PA believes NHL commissioner Gary Bettman handed down a summary suspension before the hearing, constituting a violation of the collective bargaining agreement. The CBA suggests for off-ice discipline a hearing must take place before action is taken.

The NHL suspended Avery on Tuesday, preventing him from playing in the game in Calgary.

Action taken, without a hearing.

http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/darren_dreger/?id=258564

[OsGOD 3]

NICE!!! screw bettman... Bettman is to the NHL what Kwamee was to Detroit and the CEO's are to the Big three! f*** 'em all!! except kwamee i don't wanna die

Edited December 6, 2008 by OsGOD

[Dabura 12,232]

ESPN reports that since Avery's sentencing, no one (literally no one) has been following hockey. On the day that Avery's six-game suspension was enacted, one NHL official, who wished to remain anonymous, lamented the loss of the NHL's biggest, brightest star, saying, "This will be the death of the NHL. Mark my words." Edited December 6, 2008 by Dabura

[Lazerbeam 13]

ditto

and I'm personally disgusted by the fact that the league hands Avery a 6 games

suspension to cover up for its hurt image, but on the same time hands laughable

1 game suspensions to assholes like Pronger for hits in the head which are clearly

aimed at injuring other players. or a number of 3 game suspension for delibarate

boarding or clear head hunting.

I'm usually Bettman's defender in this forum but this is a typical marketing BS. a typical

catholic way of solving things: as long as everybody smiles and no harm for the image

hass been done: wipe the things under the carpet. only when the image is hurt do

a crusade to protect perception.

those reoccuring nasty hits are this league's problem. not Avery who is idiot but at

least wasn't trying to injure someone and cause health problems. the league with

silent approval of Stars dressing room is trying to get rid of him and clean the image

but he is but a small problem the NHL has right now. league officials are no god

damned church to rule what player's words or actions are moral and what not. just

let Elisha and/or Flames sue this idiot and that's it. what really is the problem for

the game itself is Tootoos, Prongers, Ruutuus and similar crap. players who lack

respect to other guys on the ice and who do the wreck during the games against

hockey rules and risking other players health.

my 0.02€

I resent that comment! leave Religion out of this subject please! and by the way, Buttman, I mean Bettman is a Jew--not a Catholic.

[ManLuv4Clears 7]

ESPN reports that since Avery's sentencing, no one (literally no one) has been following hockey. On the day that Avery's six-game suspension was enacted, one NHL official, who wished to remain anonymous, lamented the loss of the NHL's biggest, brightest star, saying, "This will be the death of the NHL. Mark my words."

No No. The only way this would happen is if Elisha Cuthbert discountinued blogging on NHL.com.

[OsGOD 3]

Spot on post - especially on Bettman.

Avery is a non-stop self-promoting goofball, but he's a decent player, & IMO he's entertaining, & like you said - he'll be a villain to promote himself as well as the game.

6 game suspension?

EDIT - What I find interesting is how Avery is into fashion (his sexuality is said to have been questioned by some members of the media, & by opponents on the ice) yet he blows everyone off as their opinions don't matter.

yup yup

[OsGOD 3]

You consider Avery's comments as "verbal abuse"

When I get a chance (when I get home from work) I'll try to post the YouTube link of Kevin Stevens/Brian Trottier giving Brian Bellows an earful.

I told sammy to f*** HIM UP when he tried to fight that youngster behind the wings net... i imediatly held my hands up and said.. GUILTY SUSPEND ME!

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

I will be very interested in seeing what Avery's future in the NHL will be after the suspension

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

I am so sick of this league and the canned responses and as much as I hate Sean Avery.... we need more people like him, J.R. or others like them.

[seeinred 1,488]

You consider Avery's comments as "verbal abuse"

When I get a chance (when I get home from work) I'll try to post the YouTube link of Kevin Stevens/Brian Trottier giving Brian Bellows an earful.

They kind of run out of insults. There's at least one insult in there that is actually kind of a compliment.

[Guest Shoreline]

You consider Avery's comments as "verbal abuse"

When I get a chance (when I get home from work) I'll try to post the YouTube link of Kevin Stevens/Brian Trottier giving Brian Bellows an earful.

At least try to follow the conversation when you reply to someone.

Edited December 7, 2008 by Shoreline

[Guest Shoreline]

Sorry if I didn't spend the time to read all 25 pages...But my interpretation of some of your posts was that Avery's comment was both distasteful, and could be some how looked at as a form of verbal abuse...Am I right?

That pretty much depends on how the person took it and the effect it has. If I'm not mistaken, Phaneuf shrugged it off like most would. However, that isn't the discussion I was having with a person.

Edited December 7, 2008 by Shoreline

[puckloo39 5,686]

Sean Avery got 500 posts and 25 pages of attention. In a Red Wings forum.

Mission accomplished!

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

Sean Avery got 500 posts and 25 pages of attention. In a Red Wings forum.

Mission accomplished!

And Shoreline accomplished his/her goal also.

[Guest Shoreline]

And Shoreline accomplished his/her goal also.

Not to mention those on Bettman's nuts.

[Dabura 12,232]

No No. The only way this would happen is if Elisha Cuthbert discountinued blogging on NHL.com.

A recent study reports that Elisha Cuthbert has not helped the NHL earn new fans (literally not one new fan). Taking this to be a snarky statement, one member of LGW said, "Oh, what, and Avery hasn't brought in new fans?" This was, of course, a misguided critique, as the study had never argued to the contrary. In fact, it clearly states that Avery is generally good for the the league. When asked to comment, another prominent member of LGW said simply, "Screw Buttman man I've had it they've gone too far this time Avery only helps the league Buttman only hurts it."

More details as they become available...

[OsGOD 3]

she should show us her ****!

but not just that... stand behind the benches and show it for all to see... that will bring the fans a flocking... but it has to be at every home game EVERY team!

Edited December 7, 2008 by OsGOD

[Dabura 12,232]

Thanks for contributing. Really.

[Guest Shoreline]

Thanks for contributing. Really.

Pretty much.

Troll troll troll your boat..

[miller76 463]

On xm 204 this morning, they had the owner, or one of the owners of the Capitals on the show. They brought up the Avery subject. He made a good suggestion. Have the Dallas Stars and Avery's agent make a deal to keep him in the Dallas organization, but send his ass to Russia. And figure out if this guy wants to be a hockey player or a circus clown. If he goes and playes there, it could save his career for future considerations from other tams in this league. If he refuses, good luck finding anyone who wants him.

I think it's actually a pretty good suggestion. I really doubt that would ever happen though.

[OsGOD 3]

Thanks for contributing. Really.

are you referring to my response... that usually happens when some guys lift some girl up at a concert for attention with the crowd yelling "show us your ****!!"

Cause if you... yeah i would like to see one aspect of her that brings ANYTHING to the sport of hockey other than she is an attractive young lady with now nice endowments and linked to some hockey players... If that isn't the only reason her feelings were hurt becuase aves called her "sloppy seconds" then why not have some other women of the sport who are not so attractive blog about it and bring in fans.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

A recent study reports that Elisha Cuthbert has not helped the NHL earn new fans (literally not one new fan). Taking this to be a snarky statement, one member of LGW said, "Oh, what, and Avery hasn't brought in new fans?" This was, of course, a misguided critique, as the study had never argued to the contrary. In fact, it clearly states that Avery is generally good for the the league. When asked to comment, another prominent member of LGW said simply, "Screw Buttman man I've had it they've gone too far this time Avery only helps the league Buttman only hurts it."

More details as they become available...

I hope this isn't the best you can do when it comes to comedy.

Bottom line is that you've made a ridiculous stance on this issue, and no one is going to agree with you. The league doesn't need Cuthbert in any way, and you should just admit it.

If she's a good Canadian girl who's dating Phaneuf, I'm sure she'll continue to support the NHL and hockey in general, no matter what Avery said.