Sean avery and sloppy seconds (or much ado about nothing)

[zeddoo]

Have any of you guys seen this story? If not, here is the gist.

Sean avery, an average winger for the dallas stars (hockey) who is hated throughout the league was recently suspended indefinetly by the league for comments he made to the media. 1st off this guy is an *******. That said, I am a little perplexed that a sport where guys regularly use their equipment as a deadly weapon and go unpunished, have responded so severely. While in canada (where he is from) he told the media something to the effect of " I love canada and am glad to be in the country. I have recently noticed a trend by other players in the league to fall in love with my sloppy seconds (elisha cuthbert most recent) which I find very strange". It may not be the perfect quote as it is from memory but it captures the overall tone and message.

What he said is certainly an asshead thing to say, but an indefinite suspension? Really? A potshot at an ex has gotten him on the edge of getting kicked out of arguably one of the bloodiest leagues in sport? Really?

[Barfy]

It was a crude and distasteful comment and he went out of his way to make sure the media recorded it. The league has very strict codes of conduct on and off the ice (witness the mandatory suits the players wear when coming and going to the arenas) and this most certainly broke that code.

So in other words, I'm not surprised by the reaction.

[freelancer3018]

What he said is certainly an asshead thing to say, but an indefinite suspension? Really? A potshot at an ex has gotten him on the edge of getting kicked out of arguably one of the bloodiest leagues in sport? Really?

The guy is a prick and a cancer in the Stars locker room. He won't get kicked out of the NHL but he wont play again this year.

[zeddoo]

It was a crude and distasteful comment and he went out of his way to make sure the media recorded it. The league has very strict codes of conduct on and off the ice (witness the mandatory suits the players wear when coming and going to the arenas) and this most certainly broke that code.

So in other words, I'm not surprised by the reaction.

I am not suprised of a suspension... 1-2 games wouldn't suprise me, but an indefinite. That is the most sever possible. That is the type given for extremely dirty hit that breaks a jaw. No way does this deserve an indefinite.

This will be appealed by the players union, and he will win.

[wizisme]

Something worth mentioning...

This is the first time that an NHL player has been suspended indefinitely for off-ice conduct. Also, the Stars completely backed the NHL on the decision.

What we all know is true: this was a product of his past behavior, not just this single comment.

Btw, the exact quote was

I'm just going to say one thing. I'm really happy to be back in Calgary, I love Canada. I just wanted 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.

[zeddoo]

The guys running the nhl are a bunch of idiots. Avery is right in his assertion that the NHL promotes boring players. He could be a boon for them. I would have watched the stars calgary game had he played to see then entire calgary team gunning for him. Hockey has lost its viewership and attendance because there is no drama. Look at the other leagues. One of the things terrell owens brings to the nfl is his big mouth. All the trash talking he does makes every fan on every other team hate him and root against him. There are villans in all the successful leages and they promote them. The nhl just has a bunch of toothless, boring guys who can't let go of the mullet.

[zortoflaven]

Being a Leafs fan, I've hated him with a passion since the Tucker incident. [thumbdown]

The way he played in the playoffs was down right dirty. Good riddance to him.

That said, he is right about boring players...

[crazyea]

That said, I am a little perplexed that a sport where guys regularly use their equipment as a deadly weapon and go unpunished, have responded so severely.

I have not witnessed one single incident where a player used is equipment as a deadly weapon, as far as i know no-one has died, or even been hurt majorly by another, and gone unpunished. As a matter of fact, stick infractions are regularly punished with impunity. Get your facts straight. The NHL is one of the stricter leagues around.

What he said is certainly an asshead thing to say, but an indefinite suspension? Really? A potshot at an ex has gotten him on the edge of getting kicked out of arguably one of the bloodiest leagues in sport? Really?

He did not just say a flippant remark, he called the reporters over for no other reason than to say what he did. This is the big issue the league has with it.

Bloodiest league? BS. Sure they allow fights, but the league is for the most part made up of decent people. You don't have people trying to strangle coaches or being brought up on murder or drug charges on such a rampant basis like the other leagues. Also, in baseball and basketball you have bench clearing brawls all the time. Geez.

[zeddoo]

I have not witnessed one single incident where a player used is equipment as a deadly weapon, as far as i know no-one has died, or even been hurt majorly by another, and gone unpunished. As a matter of fact, stick infractions are regularly punished with impunity. Get your facts straight. The NHL is one of the stricter leagues around.

A 5 minute major and a 10k fine is hardly impunity. How many indefinite suspensions has there been for a stick to the face?

Wheter u want to admit it or not, a hockey stick is a deadly weapon.

Ultimately this is a cumulative punishment on a person for being an ass. Had it been another player who wasn't an ass, a fine would have been the most severe punishment they would have received. It is a farce that an insult (who didn't chuckle when they heard/read it) about a actress whose most famous role to date was as a porn star would generate this much of a punishment.

[crazyea]

If a player hits another in the head with a stick, cuts the other he gets a penatly such as the one you mention.

If a player takes a deliberate swing such as mcsorley on brashear his career ended, he was charged criminally. bertuzzi got a year, and wasnt able to play international hockey either. Accidents happen, gross negligence gets punished. the league doesnt avoid penalizing people sush as your previous comment inferred.