I can see both sides.
What Sean Avery said to get suspended was both funny and vile. Yep, I went there. Here’s the quote in case you some how missed it.
“I’m really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada,” the Ontario native said. “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. I don’t know what that’s about, but enjoy the game tonight.”
If it was said on the ice, no problem.
It wasn’t. It was said in front of TV cameras.
Here’s the real problem with Sean; he’s young and thinks he’s funny. Oh, we have the same problem. Perhaps that’s why I’m not gonna join the bandwagon and bash him like everyone else has.
Let’s preface this a little. I love the fact that the Dallas Stars have done a great job, from the very beginning, in creating a team that is well respected in the NHL as well as at home in Texas. There is pride in being a sports team housed in this great state.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has summoned Sean Avery to New York for a hearing Thursday. I guess we’ll have to see how that goes.
Here’s my real problem… I think; If you pull in the reins on a guy like Sean Avery, does he lose his ability to play effectively? I think he does. How much can you actually quiet a guy like him? What’s the cost?
Facts:
- Sean Avery is a fast talking, fast skating, pot stirrer
- The suspension put Avery out of a game that could have involved much retaliation
- More national coverage for the NHL in these past couple of days
Opinions
- Not all PR is good PR
- Maybe the NHL does need more villains like a Darth Vader
- The Dallas Stars are not happy with his antics
- The Dallas Stars didn’t need another pot stirrer, Steve Ott does a fine job with that job description
Did Avery cross the line with what he said? Perhaps
Does he still have a future with the Dallas Stars? This question is much harder to answer, although I do know that his contract has a limited no-trade clause, whatever that means.
The biggest factor by far is the effect that all of this has had on the team.
“More than anything, he’s let his teammates down,” said Dallas co-general manager Brett Hull.
“From my own standpoint, there’s a great deal of frustration and embarrassment,” said Dave Tippett. “Ten minutes before Sean came out with those comments, I defended him and that’s very disappointing to me. There’s been people from management to coaches, to teammates that put a lot of time and effort to try and get him engaged in our group. Obviously the point wasn’t getting across, which brings us to where we are right now.”
“It’s going to take some time,” teammate Mike Modano said. “It’s a situation we’ll have to address when that time comes, if it does.” on repairing the damage in the dressing room.
Marty Turco: “It’s just so disappointing for guys who have been around here for a long time and have taken a lot of pride in how this organization has been perceived. The disrespect of this morning and other things over the course of the season have been extremely disappointing for us. It’s a slap in the face.”
Then went on to say;
“We expect that out of him like we have all year,” said Marty Turco, who was critical of Sean Avery’s agitation of Brodeur during the playoffs when it happened. “You know, the show continues.”
Sean Avery has come out with a statement on the event:
“I would like to sincerely apologize for my off-color remarks to the press yesterday from Calgary.
“I should not have made those comments and I recognize that they were inappropriate. It was a bad attempt to build excitement for the game, but I am now acutely aware of how hurtful my actions were. I caused unnecessary embarrassment to my peers as well as people I have been close with in the past.
“I apologize for offending the great fans of the NHL, the Commissioner, my teammates, my coaching staff and the Dallas Stars Management and Ownership. As many of you know, I like to mix it up on and off the ice from time to time, but understand that this time I took it too far.”
