The Avery Rule Continues To Expand

Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League

Dec 3, 12:37 PM | Hype this story!

During the 2008 NHL playoffs, fans saw superpest Sean Avery making a mockery of the game by waving his stick in front of Martin Brodeur’s face to distract the netminder from making saves.

Soon after, the NHL put down its proverbial foot and declared that such antics would result in unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

Now, Avery has found another way to break the barrier and force the NHL to make a statement based on his statements.

In an interview prior to last night’s game between the Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames, Avery opened his mouth and said the following, according to TSN:

“I am really happy to be back in Calgary, I love Canada. 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. Enjoy the game tonight.”

Clearly, Avery was out of line with a personal attack on former girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert, who now dates Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf.

Avery’s suspension remains indefinite, though some are indicating it could be for one game.

So here is what we know:

  • Avery is known for drawing attention to himself and showing little/no respect for anyone.
  • Avery was warned by team and NHL officials that he must act with dignity so as to not disrespect or embarrass those affiliated with the NHL.
  • His teammates are embarrassed. “Unfortunately, you don’t know what the right words are when ignorant comments are made, such as that this morning,” goalie Marty Turco said. Added forward Mike Modano, “It’s way out of the ordinary and way out of what we expect out of each other, and you know… It’s gonna be dealt with and how it plays out, I’m not sure.”
  • Analysts and former players, including noted pest Matthew Barnaby think this could be the straw that breaks Avery’s back: “I’ve played in that organization and it is a class organization,” Barnaby said. “I think he’s played his last game as a Dallas Star.”

And here is what we want you, the reader, to answer:

  • Has Avery gone to far? Explain.
  • Would the Stars be within their rights to suspend Avery indefinitely, regardless of league punishment? Explain.
  • Has Dallas’ complete self-destruction been a result of Avery’s season-long distraction?
  • If Avery has, indeed, played his way out of Dallas, is there any team that would want him, and if so, who and why?

Lastly, the weekly poll:

Previous poll results:

“Grade the NHL on its efforts to increase scoring and crack down on obstruction.” — Full article

  • C – Scoring is okay and rule enforcement is average, at best. – 38.64%
  • D – I want more goals and better officiating. – 38.64%
  • B – Scoring is up, and rule enforcement is good. – 13.64%
  • F – The game is different, but it’s not better. – 6.82%
  • A – The game is the best it’s been in years. – 2.27%

44 votes

Comments

  1. Jon

    Dec 3, 12:42 PM

    As much as I dislike Avery, he’s a character and thats kind of what the league needs. I see him sort of as the NHL’s Terrell Owens. People hate Owens, and think he’s selfish and stupid… but they still tune in to watch his antics. And ratings equals money.

  2. KG

    Dec 3, 12:53 PM

    I don’t agree with Barnaby. There is no way the Stars could move that abomination of a contract to rid themselves of Avery..

  3. Matt Bodenschatz

    Dec 3, 01:10 PM

    Jon, the NHL has enough problems. Are you really suggesting that an ignorant, disrespectful, jerk is good for the NHL? I mean I kind of get your concept that he is drawing attention to the NHL, but it’s negative attention. The NHL already has enough of that with the notion that it is a violent sport. I’m all for entertaining, but attacks that extend beyond the ice and delve into the personal lives of other players and/or those associated with the are inappropriate and completely unnecessary.

    KG, I wonder if the Stars can exercise some sort of “good behavior” clause in that may be in his contract? I have no idea if there is such a thing in his, but I do know he was told immediately upon being signed that he is to represent the Stars with dignity and pride and any embarrassments would not be tolerated. Heck, Brett Hull, who never shied away from controversy, spoke out against Avery yesterday. That’s saying a lot.

  4. Jon

    Dec 3, 01:32 PM

    I definitely don’t agree with what he said at all. I guess I just don’t fully agree with the suspension. The NHL has been saying all season they’ll deal with the notion that its too violent, specifically head shots, but nothing has been done. Then Avery makes a crude joke and all of a sudden its the worst thing to ever happen. I just think the NHL has its priorities messed up a little.

  5. Matt Bodenschatz

    Dec 3, 01:58 PM

    Jon, understandable. I think they got this one right, but they haven’t got other ones right.

  6. Ben Schmidt

    Dec 3, 02:23 PM

    The thing with Avery is that this really isn’t about one comment he’s made. It’s about a career of misbehavior, disrespect to his fellow players (both on his own team as well as his opponents), and he’s become a complete and total embarrassment to the League. If this had been the first time, I don’t think this would have resulted in a suspension. But this really is the straw that broke the camel’s back. When you’ve scolded someone several times, and had no effect, eventually, you have lay down the law. To me, that’s what’s going on with Avery.

    As for the issue of priorities: yes, the League should be doing a better job of protecting players from headshots, and punishing those who deliver them. But that’s not an argument against suspending Avery. Just because they are doing one thing wrong doesn’t mean they should do two things wrong.

  7. Matt Bodenschatz

    Dec 3, 02:38 PM

    Ben, great point at the end, there. I liken it to a blown call in a game that results in an “even up” call. Rather than admitting one mistake and moving forward, officials try to justify their previous mistake by making a second. Last time I checked, two wrongs don’t make a right. So, in Avery’s case, avoiding a suspension for him simply to justify not suspending players who have taken head shots in the past is basically the “even up” call. It doesn’t make it right, it just makes the league look incompetent on two fronts rather than one.

  8. RyanS

    Dec 3, 02:38 PM

    I wish avery would have played so him and phaneuf could have dropped the gloves.

    As for the comment – inappropriate in front of the cameras but I could not help but laugh when I heard it. Save it for when youre on the ice.

  9. TheOneandOnlySurge

    Dec 3, 03:05 PM

    First, he didn’t just make this comment in an interview. He called all the cameras in the room to him and then made this statement. I think the league should make a bold statement on a guy who can’t follow the rules. 2 year suspension, based on current and previous activities. Lessen it to thirty games and 5 years probation if he goes on National TV and appologizes to the NHL, the players of the NHL, his teamates and especially those directly affected by the comment. As for the Stars, they should try to find a loop hole and cut him. I thought Avery should of received a stiffer penalty last year but I guess leagues never learn how to distance themselves from bad apples. Guys like Avery and Ruutu are sometimes fun to watch but most of the time they are a threat to the integrity of the game.

  10. DigitalGypsy66

    Dec 3, 03:08 PM

    I thought at first that a suspension was a little unnecessary. But the TSN clip has Avery asking reporters if they had or could turn on a camera, because he had something to say. Obviously, his sophomoric comments were premeditated.

    It would be one thing if after the game he was asked about Cuthbert (although what reporter would bother with that?) but he brought it up himself in an impromptu press conference.

    It’s a shame he isn’t on the Rangers any longer: Plaxico Burress, Stephon Marbury, and Avery would have made the New York sports media implode.

  11. jmont

    Dec 3, 04:32 PM

    Can the Stars waive him and all/part of his contract? It would be interesting to see if anyone is willing to pick him up.

    I see him the the KHL in a few years.

    His detriment to any locker room is both evident and counterproductive. When your own teammates imply that you aren’t very liked among teammates, things are serious and the team needs to consider any method of removal available. I’d like to see him out of the league one way or another, but logic tells me that if Todd Bertuzzi still plays in the NHL, then Avery certainly wont’t get anything nearly as serious. Hopefully, though, there’s a MINIMUM 20 games on his suspension added to any missed before his hearing

  12. DaBich

    Dec 4, 07:23 AM

    It’s a wonder the players themselves don’t take things into their own hands and make this moron miserable.

    Clearly, something drastic needs to be done for Avery to get a CLEAR message.

  13. Matt Bodenschatz

    Dec 4, 12:22 PM

    Jmont, if he is waived, one of two things would happen: 1, another team would claim him and take on his contract or, 2, no one would claim him and he would either stay with the Stars or go to the AHL. No matter what, his contract is valid, and he’ll continue to get a paycheck.

  14. Matt Bodenschatz

    Dec 4, 02:13 PM

    Just a brief update as we wait for a final ruling by the NHL, which is to come later today.

    James Mirtle seems to think Avery could be looking at a suspension that rivals the longest in league history — upwards of 20 games.

    I think this harsh reaction has more to do with Avery’s continual brash, disrespective behavior.

    There’s also talk that the Stars may in fact say Avery breached his contract, giving them the opportunity to terminate it and leave him a free agent.

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