Avery suspended

[Cove 38]

but indefninetly?

[Law Goalie 147]

Where he said it shouldn't matter, what he said should be the major factor in wether to punish him or not.

If I say "fuck" to a friend of mine in my home then go on live TV and say it, should the same thing happen in both cases? Where has everything to do with it.

so people can be lude and vulgar as long as they hide it from people? What are we really teaching kids than? Say it on the ice, it's ok?

In a word, YES.

What my wife and I do at night would be described by some as lewd and vulgar (and fundamentally unattractive, since I'm involved), but as long as it's private, it's fine. The same applies to conversation.

When exactly a statement becomes public is a bit of a grey area. It's pretty much a standard of reasonable expectation. If I turn to my colleague on a public street and say, "So-and-so deserves to be lynched," and it *happens* to get filmed because we were walking by a camera crew that I couldn't see, I might not be in a lot of trouble. I'd have to explain myself, certainly, and I'd better have a damn good explanation.

If I walk over to that camera crew and get their attention, or go into a video booth, or whatever, then say the same thing, I have clearly intended to make a public statement, and can be held accountable. It doesn't matter WHAT I say - it's on record. If it happens to be insulting, inflammatory or slanderous, I could be in trouble.

Certainly, there are things you can't say on the ice: anything racial or ethnic, for one. Specific threats are another. You can say, "I'm going to get you," but you can't say, "I'm going to take out your right knee." (Thank you, Darcy Tucker.) Sexual innuendo may have been, once upon a time, more offensive than a racial slur, but not any more.

edit: as for "suspended indefinitely," all that means is, literally, that the suspension has not been defined (in this case, pending a hearing). Yes, in theory, an indefinite suspension could be an infinite suspension; but "indefinite" only means that it hasn't yet been defined, whereas "infinite" means it can't be.

[Rustpot 1]

but indefninetly?

Indefinitely means they didn't want to assign a number until after the hearing. If he tells Bettman it was just to rile up the Flames and he won't do it again it probably won't be any more games. If he comes in pissing and moaning then it might be more.

And as far as where vs. what; you're telling me that any time a player calls another player a shit-faced pussy all the kids hear it and we need to shut them up? No. Say whatever you want on your own time when no one cares what is said, when you're in front on nationally broadcasted cameras and microphones you need to keep it clean. Say it on the ice, in the locker room, in his house, on the phone with friends, who cares? Saying it in a kindergarten classroom? There's a problem.

Edit; Law beat me on both accounts :(

[donkey87 0]

"Daddy, what are sloppy seconds"

Is another reason he was likely suspended.

You can't have that kind of douchebaggery off the ice becoming an influence for kids playing the sport

You can thank the media for that. If "sloppy seconds" is that vulgar and offensive than it shouldn't have been repeated over and over again on TSN and other stations.

[Drewhunz 3]

Why is it taking this long? I'll set the over/under at 5.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Why is it taking this long? I'll set the over/under at 5.

Over!

[cabreezy 0]

Look on the bright side, at least Avery didn't get suspended indefinitely for shooting himself with an unlicensed gun.

[playthehawkee 0]

haha maybe he should have.

[kosydar 0]

Why is it taking this long? I'll set the over/under at 5.

Under.

[B-Nads 0]

I guess Avery subscribes to the - if you're gonna walk on thin ice you might as well dance - school of thought. He has already managed to piss off league admin, so what's one more slap in the face, right?

Personally, I think he is an embarrassment to himself, the NHL, and the sport. This type of contrived display of disrespect and vulgarity on national television goes way beyond chirping and agitating - it is grand-standing to an extreme in an effort to add to his legend status - trouble is he's only a legend in his own mind. Even his teammates are fed up with his bullshit, and that is NOT why he was brought in. Yeah, I can see the appeal Avery might have to an assclown like Hull, but even Hull managed to skirt the lines of protriety - Avery just blithers filth, taking full adavantage of any and all opportunities to prove himself the biggest moron in the NHL. Would I rather see him suspended for insulting Jack Bauer's little girl than see someone like Chris Pronger get nailed to the wall for the cheap shots he gets away with game after game - no. I would rather see DF put the mitts to the idiot and let Bettman shovel the shit and blood off the ice when it's over, but I can see the pro-active side of the call and would not argue against its merit.

The league is in a tough situation now though - are they gonna grow some teeth over this or are they gonna gnaw at it and hope TSN stops showing the footage, because if they have made this much stir over it they'll lose all credibility of they simple say "stop, or I'll say stop again...".

[Stampeder 2]

I'm not sure if it's been covered or not, but does anyone else find it funny that Dion went -3 last night?

[selke71 0]

Personally, I think he is an embarrassment to himself, the NHL, and the sport. This type of contrived display of disrespect and vulgarity on national television goes way beyond chirping and agitating - it is grand-standing to an extreme in an effort to add to his legend status - trouble is he's only a legend in his own mind. Even his teammates are fed up with his bullshit, and that is NOT why he was brought in.

I couldn't agree more. I was watching ESPN earlier just for a brief moment and saw Skip Bayless talking about the Avery incident. Bayless argued that Avery is the only interesting player in the NHL, and that the NHL needs more "characters" like Avery in order to get people interested.

I'm not saying anything everyone doesn't already know, but Skip Bayless is an idiot.

I'm sick and tired of people who aren't hockey fans to begin with talking about what hockey needs to do in order to become more successful and more marketable. Dare I say that there was nothing wrong with the pre-NHL lockout in terms of the style of play, at least as far as getting fans involved is concerned. The only thing that I think is for the best is the elimination of the tie and replacing it with a shootout after a period of overtime. I don't really care about the other rules except for the fact that they were explicitly designed to increase scoring, which I don't think is what makes hockey exciting anyway.

I don't want to watch a 6-4 game. I don't like them.

You know what the best games I've seen were? Low-scoring tie games in the playoffs that had to keep going until somebody let up a goal. Goalie duels, if you will. What baseball games do people prefer to watch? A 13-9 game or a no-hitter? How come a no-hitter can be the most exciting game in baseball, but a shutout in hockey is something that needs to be prevented and, if possible, fixed?

Sean Avery is a representation of the kind of nonsense that some people are not only willing to tolerate but celebrate in the name of getting the NHL more attention. But I don't think Sean Avery is building the NHL fan base at all. In fact, he may very well be turning people away. Just because draw attention doesn't mean you create fans. Paris Hilton draws a lot of attention; do you think virtually any of the people who'd pay attention to her latest antics would call themselves fans?

If the most recognizable current NHL player to the populace at large is Sean Avery, the NHL isn't moving in the right direction -- it's in deep trouble.

[mrusse01 0]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/stor...&id=3740622

You would have to search high and low in the hockey world to find someone who thinks Tuesday's punishment was not just, who thinks Avery didn't have it coming.

For anybody that thinks the suspension was unmerited, please find a single person in the hockey world who has spoken out against it (low brow reporters looking for a story don't count). Look at the quotes in that article from players and executives, they think it's disgusting, and it is. It is mind boggling to me that there are multiple people on here that think this sort of thing should be ignored by the league, or even supported to drum up interest.

I actually feel sorry for Avery, he obviously has some kind of personal demons that he is unable to deal with.

Sean Avery is a representation of the kind of nonsense that some people are not only willing to tolerate but celebrate in the name of getting the NHL more attention. But I don't think Sean Avery is building the NHL fan base at all. In fact, he may very well be turning people away. Just because draw attention doesn't mean you create fans. Paris Hilton draws a lot of attention; do you think virtually any of the people who'd pay attention to her latest antics would call themselves fans?

If the most recognizable current NHL player to the populace at large is Sean Avery, the NHL isn't moving in the right direction -- it's in deep trouble.

Agree 100% with everything, well said.

[Kavik 0]

Sean Avery is no longer on the active roster per hockeydb.com - Current statistics as of 2008-12-03.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=25942

Was he dropped already? Or is this because of his "indefinite" suspension.

[Hidious 0]

73% think Avery should get 3+ games on TSN.ca's poll. It does not specify how many voters.

[psh 25]

Bob McKenzie is reporting that Avery's agent was rebuffed by the Stars when he tried to schedule a team meeting during which Avery could apologize to his teammates. McKenzie suggests Avery is not long for the Stars, but the Stars' options aren't real attractive given the 4 year contract. In any event, it appears as though the team no longer wants to have anything to do with him, at least for the time being.

[Law Goalie 147]

Wow - if Hicks really intends to squeeze him out, that would be a seriously impressive move. Putting your money where your morals are is pretty uncommon.

Then again, as has been noted, all NHL contracts have clauses covering public conduct, so they may even have a case to get it voided by the league - and I really don't see the NHLPA footing the bill to defend this mutt.

[KingPest19 0]

Jason Blake confirmed that it didn't happen.

Anyone still believe he didn't make a comment about Jason Blake's cancer problem last year?

Others who were on the ice have said otherwise.

Didnt Tucker do an interview where he said that the remarks werent directed at Blake but were directed at Tucker? That would go along with the actions on the ice with Blake being nonchalant and Tucker going ape.

As for this what to say? He did come off as a douche trying to be funny and should have saved this stuff for the ice. I dont like seeing the suspension but I understand why they did it. Theyve slapped his hand repeatedly and like the puppy that wont stop shitting on the carpet he keeps doing it. The only real problem Ill have with the suspension if its any longer than 3 games as then the league crosses the line. Its another issue pertaining to young kids watching the NHL. It comes across from the view point of its okay to be a repeat offender for boarding(Hollweg) or a repeat offender for shots to the head(Pronger) but its not ok to trash talk in any way shape or form.

[Chadd 916]

Bob McKenzie is reporting that Avery's agent was rebuffed by the Stars when he tried to schedule a team meeting during which Avery could apologize to his teammates. McKenzie suggests Avery is not long for the Stars, but the Stars' options aren't real attractive given the 4 year contract. In any event, it appears as though the team no longer wants to have anything to do with him, at least for the time being.

It will be interesting to see if the people who brought him in will pay a price as well.

[noodle3872 40]

During the first intermission, Duthie read a press release apology from Avery. It was well written. I wonder how the apology will play out with his teammates and throughout the league?

[RadioGaGa 162]

During the first intermission, Duthie read a press release apology from Avery. It was well written. I wonder how the apology will play out with his teammates and throughout the league?

He asked to be allowed to make his apology in person to the team, and Stars management said no.

[noodle3872 40]

No his agent or publicist asked for permission not Avery himself which is probably why the Stars declined.

[Chadd 916]

During the first intermission, Duthie read a press release apology from Avery. It was well written. I wonder how the apology will play out with his teammates and throughout the league?

He isn't going to make any comment that isn't well scripted in the near future. Assuming he isn't a complete idiot.

[Jim A 4]

funny how this has garnered the most attention all season for the NHL

listening to XM Radio today and hearing Michelle Tafoya go off on it, its news everywhere and front page video on ESPN and more indepth then their recent feature on him via E:60

yet its such a horrific thing to say that its all hyped up and available to watch

hypocrisy at its finest,

I could care less what he said, riling up an opponent ala Reg Dunlop

a sad day for the NHL, shame on you Gary Bettman

[RadioGaGa 162]

No his agent or publicist asked for permission not Avery himself which is probably why the Stars declined.

And you think he wrote that apology too? "he" and "his people" are one-and-the-same.