For those who can't access the video, Avery approached the NHL press corps, asked if the cameras were ready, and said:
Avery was referring to his former relationship with "24" actress Elisha Cuthbert, who is currently dating none other than Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf. So what was this on the part of Avery? It seemed like nothing out of the ordinary for the NHL superpest, getting under the skin of his opponent and making waves in advance of a game.
So why did this warrant an indefinite suspension?
There was a huge outcry on the hockey message boards, with women screaming about how disrespectful it was their gender, and how any man who found what Avery said funny was a chauvanistic pig. Others appluaded the suspension, while still others were furious or confused why the league felt the need to take this step.
Put me in the latter category. This suspension screams "unnecessary". Yes, Avery's remarks were out of line. Yes, they were insulting, but also sounded like something many men would say if they encountered the man who is currently dating an ex-girlfriend.
In any case, the real issue here isn't that what he said is unnecessary, most seem to agree it was a stupid thing to say. The issue is how the NHL handled it. Avery has already missed one game, and by all accounts, isn't going to be back anytime soon. However, the NHL recently decided that Randy Jones only deserved a two game suspension for nearly ending the career of Patrice Bergeron. Tom Kostopoulos got 3 games for hitting Toronto's Mike Van Ryn in similar fashion. Darcy Tucker, who has as bad a reputation as Avery, didn't get suspended for supposedly going after the knees of Minnesota's Nick Schultz. This list goes on. Colin Campbell, who dishes out these suspensions, has become a laughingstock.
So why did Avery get so many games? Is the NHL simply tired of his act? It can't be argued that Avery is a pest, but it also can't be argued that he is an effective pest. He was lambasted, and even got a rule implemented immediately after the game, for his "antics" in front of Martin Brodeur last year, but the Rangers scored on that power play.
And like it or not, NHL, people like Avery are good for the game. Everyone needs a villain, and Avery has turned into hockey's version of Bill Laimbeer, a new Claude Lemieux. There were over 1,000 comments on ESPN's story about the suspension, probably one of the first times all season a hockey story has eclipsed that mark.
And for what? Comments that were in poor taste? Some are arguing that it's a good thing Avery got suspended, because Phaneuf would have destroyed him. So...had Avery played, he would have taken a Norris Trophy-candidate defenseman off of his game? Hmm...looks like Avery accomplished his goal again. Others said the NHL wanted to avoid an incident similar to that of Todd Bertuzzi and Steve Moore, that being one of premeditated violence resulting in criminal charges outside of the sport.
Does anyone REALLY think this is going to stop any on-ice payback Avery had coming? If anything, this is going to make it worse. The Flames visit the Stars in Dallas on February 3, 2009. What, so if Avery is even still on the team at that point, which isn't likely, Phaneuf is just going to say "Oh, he got suspended, I'll let it go." Not likely.
What WILL happen is that the interview in which Avery made the comments will be played over and over and over again in the days leading up to the game, letting the bad blood between Avery and the Flames simmer and simmer until it eventually boils over. The "payback" Avery has coming is going to come regardless. It would have been better for the NHL to let him man-up on the ice last night instead of prolonging the inevitable.
Bad move, NHL.
"I'm 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, but enjoy the game tonight."
Avery was referring to his former relationship with "24" actress Elisha Cuthbert, who is currently dating none other than Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf. So what was this on the part of Avery? It seemed like nothing out of the ordinary for the NHL superpest, getting under the skin of his opponent and making waves in advance of a game.
So why did this warrant an indefinite suspension?
There was a huge outcry on the hockey message boards, with women screaming about how disrespectful it was their gender, and how any man who found what Avery said funny was a chauvanistic pig. Others appluaded the suspension, while still others were furious or confused why the league felt the need to take this step.
Put me in the latter category. This suspension screams "unnecessary". Yes, Avery's remarks were out of line. Yes, they were insulting, but also sounded like something many men would say if they encountered the man who is currently dating an ex-girlfriend.
In any case, the real issue here isn't that what he said is unnecessary, most seem to agree it was a stupid thing to say. The issue is how the NHL handled it. Avery has already missed one game, and by all accounts, isn't going to be back anytime soon. However, the NHL recently decided that Randy Jones only deserved a two game suspension for nearly ending the career of Patrice Bergeron. Tom Kostopoulos got 3 games for hitting Toronto's Mike Van Ryn in similar fashion. Darcy Tucker, who has as bad a reputation as Avery, didn't get suspended for supposedly going after the knees of Minnesota's Nick Schultz. This list goes on. Colin Campbell, who dishes out these suspensions, has become a laughingstock.
So why did Avery get so many games? Is the NHL simply tired of his act? It can't be argued that Avery is a pest, but it also can't be argued that he is an effective pest. He was lambasted, and even got a rule implemented immediately after the game, for his "antics" in front of Martin Brodeur last year, but the Rangers scored on that power play.
And like it or not, NHL, people like Avery are good for the game. Everyone needs a villain, and Avery has turned into hockey's version of Bill Laimbeer, a new Claude Lemieux. There were over 1,000 comments on ESPN's story about the suspension, probably one of the first times all season a hockey story has eclipsed that mark.
And for what? Comments that were in poor taste? Some are arguing that it's a good thing Avery got suspended, because Phaneuf would have destroyed him. So...had Avery played, he would have taken a Norris Trophy-candidate defenseman off of his game? Hmm...looks like Avery accomplished his goal again. Others said the NHL wanted to avoid an incident similar to that of Todd Bertuzzi and Steve Moore, that being one of premeditated violence resulting in criminal charges outside of the sport.
Does anyone REALLY think this is going to stop any on-ice payback Avery had coming? If anything, this is going to make it worse. The Flames visit the Stars in Dallas on February 3, 2009. What, so if Avery is even still on the team at that point, which isn't likely, Phaneuf is just going to say "Oh, he got suspended, I'll let it go." Not likely.
What WILL happen is that the interview in which Avery made the comments will be played over and over and over again in the days leading up to the game, letting the bad blood between Avery and the Flames simmer and simmer until it eventually boils over. The "payback" Avery has coming is going to come regardless. It would have been better for the NHL to let him man-up on the ice last night instead of prolonging the inevitable.
Bad move, NHL.
