Avery's Remarks Get Him 6 Games
Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League
Dec 5, 12:38 PM | Hype this story!
Sean Avery got off easy — at least based on initial speculation that his suspension could rival the longest suspensions in NHL history.
The Dallas Stars’ superpest winger has been suspended six games, according to TSN.ca, and will forfeit his paycheck for those games.
“Mr. Avery has expressed remorse for his recent comments and has sought a professional anger management evaluation,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a league-issued statement. “I will require that he follow through with that process as a condition of his returning to the ice and that he complies with any and all recommendations.”
Avery’s punishment may very well extend beyond a suspension, as the Stars reportedly are doing everything possible to remove him from their roster. However, without an AHL affiliate, and with a rule prohibiting NHL veterans from playing in the ECHL, the Stars may have difficulties.
Darren Dreger wrote last night that the Stars have held discussions with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL about taking Avery, and they have flat our rejected the idea, saying, ‘‘We wouldn’t take him under any circumstance.’‘
The fact that the Stars have previously tried to demote Avery could cause problems for the team if it tries to use a poor-behavior out clause in his contract. NHLPA officials may argue that his attempted demotion was an attempt to rid the team of a slumping player with a large contract rather than a locker room cancer with a big mouth.
This story is far from over, and Faceoff Factor will continue to bring updates as they are made available.
And don’t forget to let your voice be heard in this week’s poll, which asks what an appropriate punishment would be.
Comments
TheOneAndOnlySurge
Dec 5, 01:37 PM
I would cut him on a poor-behavior clause and when or if the NHLPA tried to say it was for poor performance, I would simply state the fact that he was suspeneded by the league. The fact alone should allow them to rid him from the team without a reasonable defense.
TIM
Dec 5, 02:09 PM
I am glad his suspension wasn’t that long. Don’t get me wrong I can’t stand him, and I think he needs to keep his mouth shut. However making fun of Phanuef for dating his ex girlfriend is not nearly as bad ad causing serious physical harm to a player along the lines of guys like Bertuzzi, Chris Simon etc. I think this got a little blown out of proportion just because every one is sick of Sean Avery at this point. I didn’t think what he said was that big of a deal.
TheOneAndOnlySurge
Dec 5, 05:24 PM
Tim, I think your missing the big picture. It’s not just the comment. The comment is the one that broke the cammels back. Bertuzzi has one bad decission that cost a player their career yes, but he is not a repeat problem. Simon is a goon and nothing more. Teams don’t like him and that is why he is in the KHL. Avery should be alot like Simon, he causes way to many headaches for coaches and management vs the contributions he makes.
Hockey Hermit's NHL Hockey Blog
Dec 5, 06:59 PM
Personally I would like to see Avery disappear from hockey. He has no concept of what a team sport is and everything he says and does is for his own selfish reasons. That being said I don’t think the NHL could justify suspending him for much longer than they did. However, Dallas is free to punish Avery as much as they like…
kevbnyc
Dec 6, 11:47 AM
Tim-
The NHL, and many, many, men and women found his language reprehensible. The NHL is in the business of entertainment. Many, many men and women would stay home with their money rather than support an athlete, or a team who employs an athlete, who expresses such disrespect for women. C’mon man. You have a mother don’t you? a sister? a wife? a daughter? Sean Avery is a scumbag.
Matt Bodenschatz
Dec 6, 11:55 AM
Kevbnyc, you got it right. On the ice, something like that being said is overlooked without question. But an impromptu press conference for a premeditated personal attack on someone not even involved in the game? Uncalled for.
Additionally, the suspension, I think, goes back to all of the issues Avery has had over his career that may have been overlooked. His actions finally are catching up to him.
Commenting is closed for this article.