2008 NYR Thread

[the1gwiz 0]

Not commenting or even speculating on what Avery may or may not have said, I find it utter garbage that this sack is threatening litigation. Whether he did or did not say it, the truth is going to be known in rooms all over the league, and players will "express their thoughts" on it accordingly on the ice, one way or another.

That being said, Leafs @ Rangers, Thurs. Dec. 6.

[Theo 1]

Not commenting or even speculating on what Avery may or may not have said, I find it utter garbage that this sack is threatening litigation. Whether he did or did not say it, the truth is going to be known in rooms all over the league, and players will "express their thoughts" on it accordingly on the ice, one way or another.

That being said, Leafs @ Rangers, Thurs. Dec. 6.

What is so bad about litigation? The reporter is an asshat if he is passing pure speculation as fact and deserves to be held accountable for it.

I easily have the most respect for Shanny on that Rangers team, but watch the video, he is no where near Avery.

But they are close friends and believe me that Shanny would know whether Avery said it or not.

As of now, all signs point to it not happening

[KingPest19 0]

Not commenting or even speculating on what Avery may or may not have said, I find it utter garbage that this sack is threatening litigation. Whether he did or did not say it, the truth is going to be known in rooms all over the league, and players will "express their thoughts" on it accordingly on the ice, one way or another.

That being said, Leafs @ Rangers, Thurs. Dec. 6.

So if someone came out and made an accusation against you that was false you wouldnt want retribution? For all we know he could be filing just asking for a retraction or statement saying the story was false. As far as players expressing their thoughts Im sure it will happen just like it has been happening since he stepped on NHL ice fore the first time. This whole story appears to be one big mess that was taken to a whole different level by some crap reporting.

[the1gwiz 0]

So if someone came out and made an accusation against you that was false you wouldnt want retribution? For all we know he could be filing just asking for a retraction or statement saying the story was false. As far as players expressing their thoughts Im sure it will happen just like it has been happening since he stepped on NHL ice fore the first time. This whole story appears to be one big mess that was taken to a whole different level by some crap reporting.

If I'm an NHL player whose game is predicated on a lotta trash talk, the occasional cheap shot, and a dash of hockey skill, no, I don't run to my lawyer when someone in the media makes a false accusation against me. In a situation like this, you can certainly believe that when the full facts come out, and if the "cancer" speculation is inaccurate, this mess is surely high profile enough that whatever ounce of credibility this radio host had is going to be flushed down the crapper. For me, it would be enough to know that no one would take this guy seriously for a long, long time, in a job where that's an essential ingredient.

[Theo 1]

Just some more notes that are more so elaborated:

While Sean Avery is in Toronto for a hearing with Colin Campbell, back here at the Rangers' practice rink, Brendan Shanahan vehemently denied that the Rangers' superpest said anything about Jason Blake's illness, noting that Blake himself and Darcy Tucker confirmed that. Jaromir Jagr denied that anyone in the Rangers' dressing room would have ever said anything like that to the Toronto radio reporter who first floated the story and who may have to face legal action by Avery. Jagr also noted that a) Tucker and Blake were equally culpable for the pre-game altercation just for being there -- they had the option to skate away, and B) Tucker was at fault for letting Avery get under his skin and escalating what until then was nothing. (There will probably be more on this from Blueshirts Blog and Rangers Report -- they had their recorders running while I was watching the guys on the ice.)

LOLZ The automatic smilie on B )

Now, Avery has to go back to Toronto to face NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell and explain himself (see reports here, here, here, here, and here). Why do none of the Leafs have to do so? That's another story altogether -- Jason Blake, the one who initiated physical contact, appears to be off the hook completely; likewise Darcy Tucker, who swung his stick at Avery at least twice; and whatever Avery might have said privately, Wade Belak appears to be allowed to announce in public that someone should kill Avery without reprimand.

I still am shocked to see how much attention this has gotten. Especially if it turns out Avery made a common put down on Tucker's wife or relative or such.

Once again, you have to take this stance from Shanny with a lot of merit:

Brendan Shanahan vehemently denied that the Rangers' superpest said anything about Jason Blake's illness, noting that Blake himself and Darcy Tucker confirmed that.

Oh, and I think I hear hypocrite from someone so I will explain.

Did I put down Avery when he made racist comments? Sure. I did not purge my posts to hide that, haha.

But I did put Avery down at the time and he deseved it. As I said before, I think that is the one area that the NOT OK on the ice. Off the ice, it is intolerable and absolute no excuse- EVen though Don Cherry and his millions of Canadian supporters show otherwise by supporting Cherry and viewing him.

I think pretty much anything else is fair game and "Trash talk OK." Let's face it...The easiest way to get to someone is to talk about their family and such, as I imagine. I don't support that, but on the ice it is fair game.

There is a pretty thick line between what you can and can not say as you are on the ice because in my mind one of the only thing that really crosses is it racism. And I put Avery down for that during that time. But yes, time passes and when you have a player play on your team you see how he is in interviews, a closer look on the ice, getting your team into the playoffs, etc. Your mind can and is allowed to change.

[the1gwiz 0]

...and whatever Avery might have said privately, Wade Belak appears to be allowed to announce in public that someone should kill Avery without reprimand.

More irresponsible reporting from whoever stated this. There's a very big difference between saying "someone should kill Avery" and "if he keeps this up, someone might very well kill Avery."

Brendan Shanahan vehemently denied that the Rangers' superpest said anything about Jason Blake's illness, noting that Blake himself and Darcy Tucker confirmed that.

I was just curious if Blake or Tucker were on record anywhere stating this. Any stories/clips directly quoting either of them out there?

[Chadd 916]

Theo: The fact that your speculation appears to be correct doesn't mean that it wasn't speculation when you posted it.

[Theo 1]

...and whatever Avery might have said privately, Wade Belak appears to be allowed to announce in public that someone should kill Avery without reprimand.

More irresponsible reporting from whoever stated this. There's a very big difference between saying "someone should kill Avery" and "if he keeps this up, someone might very well kill Avery."

Brendan Shanahan vehemently denied that the Rangers' superpest said anything about Jason Blake's illness, noting that Blake himself and Darcy Tucker confirmed that.

I was just curious if Blake or Tucker were on record anywhere stating this. Any stories/clips directly quoting either of them out there?

They said it behind the scenes to Shanny. Don't worry fishie fan...Shanny wouldn't make that up. I am sure he got a hold of them off the record.

As far as bad reporting, I also think Belak said that if Avery said any of that stuff to him, he would crack him over the head with his stick. Read between the lines...The intention is there.

Avery should fear for himself when he is out there, now more than ever. And if someone takes him out I wouldn't be the least bit surprised. But then again, "nice" players like Turgeon and Moore have been taken out as well without doing much of anything. I rather my player be effective and do what he does best than hold back for fear of anything. At least if someone takes him out, he can say he tried his best

[the1gwiz 0]

I was just curious if Blake or Tucker were on record anywhere stating this. Any stories/clips directly quoting either of them out there?

They said it behind the scenes to Shanny. Don't worry fishie fan...Shanny wouldn't make that up. I am sure he got a hold of them off the record.

I didn't ask with the intent to call out Shanny; in this situation, though, there's so much speculation and hearsay right now that I really want to hear from the primary participants, not "oh, this guy told me so and so."

Also...

I think pretty much anything else is fair game and "Trash talk OK." Let's face it...The easiest way to get to someone is to talk about their family and such, as I imagine. I don't support that, but on the ice it is fair game.

Well professional players obviously feel differently if even the whiff that something about Blake's cancer may have been said has guys running for cover and threatening defamation suits.

[KingPest19 0]

...and whatever Avery might have said privately, Wade Belak appears to be allowed to announce in public that someone should kill Avery without reprimand.

More irresponsible reporting from whoever stated this. There's a very big difference between saying "someone should kill Avery" and "if he keeps this up, someone might very well kill Avery."

Brendan Shanahan vehemently denied that the Rangers' superpest said anything about Jason Blake's illness, noting that Blake himself and Darcy Tucker confirmed that.

I was just curious if Blake or Tucker were on record anywhere stating this. Any stories/clips directly quoting either of them out there?

Belak should be brought in just for that fact that he said if Avery said something like that about my family hed get a stick over the head.

I think as the day goes on this story is going to proven true or false. Shanahan made his statements this morning after practice so now its wait and see on what Tucker and Blake have to say. Blake hasnt said a word about it, which suprises me since all the uproar is about a remark alledgedly made towards him. And all Tucker had to say was that Avery was classless.

[Theo 1]

I was just curious if Blake or Tucker were on record anywhere stating this. Any stories/clips directly quoting either of them out there?

They said it behind the scenes to Shanny. Don't worry fishie fan...Shanny wouldn't make that up. I am sure he got a hold of them off the record.

I didn't ask with the intent to call out Shanny; in this situation, though, there's so much speculation and hearsay right now that I really want to hear from the primary participants, not "oh, this guy told me so and so."

Also...

I think pretty much anything else is fair game and "Trash talk OK." Let's face it...The easiest way to get to someone is to talk about their family and such, as I imagine. I don't support that, but on the ice it is fair game.

Well professional players obviously feel differently if even the whiff that something about Blake's cancer may have been said has guys running for cover and threatening defamation suits.

How can you blame Avery for filing the suit? Even if the guy is an asshat, I can assure you there are many people listening and taking his word as gospel because to a general observer - with Avery, Blake, Tucker together one can assume what what said. And what people and blogs did was assume but here is a guy who went on pblically and on the record to many viewers stating that he had a Ranger player come to him and tell him Avery said something cancer related.

I understand your hesitation regarding Shanny. Although I do feel he knows the whole story. The fact that the Leafs did not make any complaints or the coach of the Leafs said it was not too bad (something to that effect) in the post game press conference makes me think it was a bad thing Avery said but not cancer bad.

[the1gwiz 0]

How can you blame Avery for filing the suit? Even if the guy is an asshat, I can assure you there are many people listening and taking his word as gospel because to a general observer - with Avery, Blake, Tucker together one can assume what what said. And what people and blogs did was assume but here is a guy who went on pblically and on the record stating that he had a Ranger player come to him and tell him Avery said something cancer related.

Berger updated his blog on the situation, here.

Does anyone have any links to clips from Berger's show where the initial statements were made?

[psh 25]

Take it from Ranger's management, even they had qualms about keeping Avery. The quote is from the Post regarding Avery's off-season arbitration:

"According to the New York Post, the Rangers referred to Avery as "a reasonably effective player as well as a detriment to team," in a brief given to the arbitrator. Management also said "Avery is not a mature player. He plays, at times, like an individual rather than a member of a team," the newspaper reported."

[LkptTiger 1]

The guy is a douche - I don't think that is up for debate, at this point.

[the1gwiz 0]

That's the nature of arbitration hearings, though, especially in hockey. There's always a much bigger push to settle before a hearing in the NHL. I'd cite the incident where Mike Milbury made Tommy Salo weep during his hearing years back, but I'm not sure if that would speak more to the arbitration process, Milbury being an ass or Salo being a sissy :P

[Theo 1]

Take it from Ranger's management, even they had qualms about keeping Avery. The quote is from the Post regarding Avery's off-season arbitration:

"According to the New York Post, the Rangers referred to Avery as "a reasonably effective player as well as a detriment to team," in a brief given to the arbitrator. Management also said "Avery is not a mature player. He plays, at times, like an individual rather than a member of a team," the newspaper reported."

Overall, most of that is BS and management can thank their stars they got Avery beause it got us into the playoffs. As Gwiz says, it was all about saving money and the only negatives the Rangers could do was bring up his brutal pass.

No question he is a douchebag on the ice.

[#96 0]

Just proves my point several pages ago directed at Toronto, its fans, and its media...they have nothing better to do than postulate and speculate.

All this talking, now several unnecessary pages long, was started because some over-zealous idiot up in TO couldn't get his facts straight and too many anti-Avery people on here took it and ran. Although I never denied Avery's guilt, I insisted we get he story straight before we make accusations of that nature.

Good for Avery and his lawsuit. I hope he wins. Hopefully it will wipe that stupid white-trash smile off Tucker's face.

[the1gwiz 0]

Sorry. We now return to our regularly scheduled anti-Jagr-whining ;)

Good for Avery and his lawsuit. I hope he wins. Hopefully it will wipe that stupid white-trash smile off Tucker's face.

I'm not sure how winning a law suit brought against Howard Berger would affect Tucker in any way, but sure -shrug-

[Eazy_b97 1]

Just proves my point several pages ago directed at Toronto, its fans, and its media...they have nothing better to do than postulate and speculate.

All this talking, now several unnecessary pages long, was started because some over-zealous idiot up in TO couldn't get his facts straight and too many anti-Avery people on here took it and ran. Although I never denied Avery's guilt, I insisted we get he story straight before we make accusations of that nature.

Good for Avery and his lawsuit. I hope he wins. Hopefully it will wipe that stupid white-trash smile off Tucker's face.

You pretend like it is uncommon for the Toronto media to focus in on the last game for this long. It happens on a gamely basis. They discuss and harp until another game is played.

You also assume this was just Berger, it wasn't it came from a number of source, but he took it from speculation to print. The story still isn't straight at this point.

[Theo 1]

“I am extremely upset and hurt that false and damaging comments were attributed to me regarding Jason Blake. I made no such comments. I have lost two grandfathers to cancer and have been a consistent contributor to multiple cancer related charities, first and foremost, Hockey Fights Cancer. I am unable to comment further, as the matter is now being addressed by legal counsel.”

Update, 5:50 p.m.: TSN.ca is reporting the Rangers were fined $25,000 and the Maple Leafs $10,000 while Avery was fined the maximum $2,500 and Darcy Tucker $1,000. There were no suspensions.

I think Jagr should just do the right thing here and pay the team's fine

[Eazy_b97 1]

I'm glad he spoke up about it, makes me believe it's more of a rumour. I purposely haven't said anything about this since Berger's report, since he's an idiot and I hate him. He also despises Tucker, so there isn't a pro-Leafs/Tucker thing with Berger, he's just an idiot.

I definately want to see what he said and how it was construed as crossing the line. I still don't completely toss out that Avery said anything about Cancer, just less likely.

Shanny was also the rumoured source Berger was supposed to be using, which threw up a red flag for me.

[Theo 1]

Once I believe Kosy said Berger is associated with Eklund, it really hurts as well.

From everything seen, it looks he did not say anything to that extent which shows even Avery has his limits. I am glad to hear this, even though I still hold true to what I said earlier today (I don't know if that post ever made it up, you can probably read it Eazy)

[#96 0]

Sorry. We now return to our regularly scheduled anti-Jagr-whining ;)

Good for Avery and his lawsuit. I hope he wins. Hopefully it will wipe that stupid white-trash smile off Tucker's face.

I'm not sure how winning a law suit brought against Howard Berger would affect Tucker in any way, but sure -shrug-

I just wanted to get a jab in on Tucker. Lol.

But, I guess, if he were to sue Berger it would in a way reflect on all the Leafs and Anti-Avery fans that suspected Tucker was right and Avery was just being a complete Dbag. Something along those lines.

Theo - Jags can't pay for the fines, he's too busy betting on college football and paying back-taxes he owes. (C'mon, I couldn't let Jags get off the hook either!)

[the1gwiz 0]

-snip- it would in a way reflect on all the Leafs and Anti-Avery fans that suspected... Avery was just being a complete Dbag. Something along those lines.

Waitaminnit, waitaminnit... the notion of Avery being a complete dbag is still under debate?

[mack 44]

I have to feel bad for Avery because he used to date a girl with a moustache and if it's true he got turned down by Paris Hilton, then...brother needs all the help he can get.