Weighing in on Sean Avery

“We want him to get better, but we needed to obviously part ways with Sean. It's amicable. The Stars need to move on; the team needs to move on…”

Comments made by Dallas Stars co-general manager Brett Hull tell the tale of Avery’s future and how the team has decided to rip away his chances of playing with the organization again.  This decision by Stars’ management puts an end to a 23-game stint for Avery with the Texas team, who are currently 11-14-4, placing them last in the Western Conference.

In case you have been living under a rock with your fingers in your ears for the past three weeks, Sean Avery was suspended six games and given anger management class for his comments before facing the Calgary Flames on December 2nd when he made this statement to Calgary media:

"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."

Avery, clearly talking about how former girlfriend and “Girl Next Door” star Elisha Cuthbert and Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf are currently dating, said this at the morning skate after calling the media over for a statement. 

Why would Avery do this?  It’s pretty obvious.  He wants to get a spark in the game.  He wanted to make Phaneuf crazy and create even more interest in the game that night.  Did it work?  Yes, very much so.  Nothing was able to happen though because hours later, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman suspended Avery until further notice to review the situation, taking him out of the lineup that night. 

Part of the reason for the immediate suspension was to protect Avery in case Phaneuf did get too violent and come after the pest.  But the biggest reason that the NHL suspended Avery for such a comment was to save face for the league. 

"We needed to be clear that this was the type of conduct that we did not view was acceptable and not representative of what our players do," Bettman said.  What does that translate to?  We do not want to look bad on ESPN, let’s do something about it. 

The truth is that the NHL has a bad rap compared to the other major sports in America.  People are convinced that the league is filled with toothless barbarians who just go out and hit and fight.  Well here is the real truth about the NHL:  it is filled with toothless barbarians who just go out and hit and fight!  The NHL needs to stop trying to save face and deal with real issues.  How about trying to end high sticks and spearing? 

Avery needed to be dealt with on a team level.  The NHL had no right to step in because of something a player said on the microphone.  This is a team issue that management needs to decide what to do on, not the league. 

It is my opinion though that the Stars went too far on the subject.  Trying to get rid of a player because he is doing exactly what he is brought in for does not seem right to me.  Avery is not new to the media spotlight, nor is he new to making comments that stir the pot.  The Stars should have paid attention to some comments he made before joining the Stars roster.

While with the Kings in a 2005 pre-season game, Coyotes defenseman Denis Gauthier checked Kings forward Jeremy Roenick, giving him a concussion.  Avery was asked about the incident after the game, and his response was not too charming.  "I think it was typical of most French guys in our league with a visor on, running around and playing tough and not back anything up," stated Avery.

In the 2005-06 regular season, Avery was accused by the Oilers’ black French-Canadian forward Georges Laraque of calling him “a monkey” during a contest between the two teams.

The point that I am making is that Avery will continue to make comments; it is something that he is good at and will always do.  So why sign a guy of this caliber to a four-year, $15 million contract?  Avery is a player that plays better when he is the center of attention.  The opposing defenses are worried about taking Avery out of the play, which will in turn leave room open for your star players to skate.  While Avery’s comments were definitely of bad taste, trying to find a way to get rid of him and his contract for good is not the answer. 

As of right now, there is not one NHL team that will take Avery off of the Stars’ hands.  But if given free-roam to say his comments and play his game, Avery can be a very effective player in a league that has gone soft.