Sean Avery and the NHL........

[Bad Brains]

There has been some events in the sporting world news recently involving some comments made by Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery towards a player on the Calgary Flames. The NHL as everyone knows, isn't doing too well compared to the other 3 professional sports.

Dallas versus Calgary is now a game that could be marketed very sucessfully given the circumstances. But what do they do? The suspend Sean Avery.

This is the problem I can't stand with the NHL anymore. I remember growing up with Detroit Red Wings enforcer Bob Probert got owned, as shown here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAjPizvGJrM

Things were said, and the build up for the next game was so intense, everyone had to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfgtofgrIL4

Why don't we get atmosphere and match-ups like this anymore?

[bassrique]

The NHL as everyone knows, isn't doing too well compared to the other 3 professional sports.

The NHL is drastically UNDERPERFORMING. I should be made the NHL Czar. I'd find ways to increase scoring [larger nets alone would do it I think]. I'd make billions for everyone involved.

Oh yeah, Avery is a jerk, but the punishment doesn't fit the crime.

[Bad Brains]

I think everyone would have loved to see Avery get the crap kicked out of him the day after making those comments. What a stupid move by the NHL.

[Sonic_Death]

Originally Posted by bassrique

I'd find ways to increase scoring [larger nets alone would do it I think]. I'd make billions for everyone involved.

I guess you didn't catch the 9-2 Islander loss tonight then haha.. scoring in the NHL is not a problem at all, there are high and low scoring games throughout the league every night.

As far as Avery's suspension, the reason for it is that he is a repeat offender. This has been happening for years and the league knows it, plus Avery is not even the best fighter, he is just an agitator. There was no reason to let him play in that game... it would've caused trouble, sure, but the NHL is trying to keep that kind of intense fighting to a minimum because it got so personal and publicized.

I understand both points here, but I think in this case the NHL made the right move.

[kserg]

Because trash like that doesn't deserve the time or effort.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B53W-7tk4Uw

[jucas]

Originally Posted by bassrique

The NHL is drastically UNDERPERFORMING. I should be made the NHL Czar. I'd find ways to increase scoring [larger nets alone would do it I think]. I'd make billions for everyone involved.

Oh yeah, Avery is a jerk, but the punishment doesn't fit the crime.

Nope... you've got that part backwards. Smaller goalies is the answer. Children or little people. Definately.

[kserg]

Anyone watching sharks game... this is awesome...


6 people get in a fight, 2 minor penalty issues... That's what i am talking about!

[bassrique]

Originally Posted by Sonic_Death

I guess you didn't catch the 9-2 Islander loss tonight then haha.. scoring in the NHL is not a problem at all, there are high and low scoring games throughout the league every night.

As far as Avery's suspension, the reason for it is that he is a repeat offender. This has been happening for years and the league knows it, plus Avery is not even the best fighter, he is just an agitator. There was no reason to let him play in that game... it would've caused trouble, sure, but the NHL is trying to keep that kind of intense fighting to a minimum because it got so personal and publicized.

I understand both points here, but I think in this case the NHL made the right move.

No I didn't catch it, and neither did many other people, because hockey is viewed by most sports fans as BORING. I know they've tried to tweak the rules to increase scoring [and revenue], but it hasn't been enough.

Die-hard traditionalists aren't enough to increase the sport's footprint. Hockey has so much potential to draw so many more people, but alas, the powers that be are a little slow.

[sarcastro83]

Hockey used to be huge, and it used to be extremely exciting to watch... Two things have ruined that for me. First, there is the whole strike issue. A bunch of sniveling millionares refusing to play because they don't feel that they're paid enough put a bad taste in a lot of fan's mouths. Watching the NHL now is just watching a bunch of overpaid babies drag their asses. There is simply no passion in the game these days from what I've seen. I'll stick with the Minor Leagues. Those cats are hungry for it, and will play until they're hamburger...
Also, many of the once-prominent Canadian teams folded, and were either shipped off to places, or dropped entirely in favour of expanding the NHL into territories where hockey isn't on the radar as much as sports like baseball, basketball, football etc. These new fans that the NHL is trying to attract probably didn't have much of an attention span for another sporting franchise in the first place... the strike didn't do that lack of attention any favours.

The new shootout rule is rediculous. Just throwing that out there.

Sean Avery is a complete punk... what kind of hockey player has his own publicist? This douche would be better off on the reality television circuit. It's a shame some of the enforcers I grew up watching aren't around anymore. I'd like to see that guy get his ass handed to him.

Hockey needs guys like Doug Gilmour, Wendell Clark, Scott Stevens, Gordie Howe... guys who played with grit... I just don't see that anymore when I turn on a game...

[Jiggybass]

Ever since the lockout I've pretty much lost interest in watching most games. Now I usually just watch replays if Montreal wins.

[cheezewiz]

How incredibly douchey. I can't believe a friggin hockey player got suspended just for saying "sloppy seconds". You get less games off for busting someone in the head with a stick. It's just stupid.

[Dr Stankface]

Good riddance to Sean Avery. He's a pile of trash.

[fo shizzle]

Originally Posted by Sonic_Death

I guess you didn't catch the 9-2 Islander loss tonight then haha.. scoring in the NHL is not a problem at all, there are high and low scoring games throughout the league every night.

As far as Avery's suspension, the reason for it is that he is a repeat offender. This has been happening for years and the league knows it, plus Avery is not even the best fighter, he is just an agitator. There was no reason to let him play in that game... it would've caused trouble, sure, but the NHL is trying to keep that kind of intense fighting to a minimum because it got so personal and publicized.

I understand both points here, but I think in this case the NHL made the right move.

When I woke up this morning I sure didn't think I'd be defending uber-douche Sean Avery........ He's not a repeat offender. This is actually the first time he's been suspended in his career. OK.... I'm now done defended Sean Avery!!

A really telling aspect of this story is the way the Stars have reacted. I heard Mike Modano on the radio yesterday. He was asked directly if Avery would be welcome back in the room. Modano's one-word answer......NO. Next question: Has he played his last game with the Stars. Yes.

That's as matter of fact as it could be. Good riddance.....

[Sonic_Death]

Originally Posted by fo shizzle

When I woke up this morning I sure didn't think I'd be defending uber-douche Sean Avery........ He's not a repeat offender. This is actually the first time he's been suspended in his career. OK.... I'm now done defended Sean Avery!!

Just to clarify, but repeat offender, I didn't mean to suggest that he has been suspended multiple times. I meant it in a way that he has been playing his "game" for years, by making fun of people, being a nuisance, the refs and the league all know it. He has gotten in trouble for this kind of unsportsmanlike conduct before, and now he is suspended for it. It was bound to happen.

When he was on the Rangers there was some bad mojo in the locker room between him and a few other players... a lot of people are always glad to see him go.

[fo shizzle]

Originally Posted by Sonic_Death

Just to clarify, but repeat offender, I didn't mean to suggest that he has been suspended multiple times. I meant it in a way that he has been playing his "game" for years, by making fun of people, being a nuisance, the refs and the league all know it. He has gotten in trouble for this kind of unsportsmanlike conduct before, and now he is suspended for it. It was bound to happen.

When he was on the Rangers there was some bad mojo in the locker room between him and a few other players... a lot of people are always glad to see him go.

I meant to phrase it just that way. No suspensions but a TON of other stuff........

[Jerose]

Sean Avery's problems with the Stars aren't just about the comments, those were just the peak of it. It's reported that he's been very disrespectful at practice, refusing to participate in drills and just being a general locker room plague.

It's probably better that the Stars just cut him off at this point. If you have players publicly hating on another player and saying that he isn't welcome back, it's not worth it to the team's well being to bring him back.

[Ricky Daion]

The NHL finally did something right by suspending Sean Avery. He's a cancer in the dressing room. He has no respect for the game that has made him a millionaire. Avery has made racist comments (George Laraque) made fun of cancer(Jason Blake) and made a lot more sexist remarks to female fans in the stands in Los Angeles. He's a pig.

On the other hand I would love to see him pounded into the ice. He would have turtled
however. He's never backed up any of his verbal garbage.

[heroincredible]

Originally Posted by Bad Brains

There has been some events in the sporting world news recently involving some comments made by Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery towards a player on the Calgary Flames. The NHL as everyone knows, isn't doing too well compared to the other 3 professional sports.

Dallas versus Calgary is now a game that could be marketed very sucessfully given the circumstances. But what do they do? The suspend Sean Avery.

This is the problem I can't stand with the NHL anymore. I remember growing up with Detroit Red Wings enforcer Bob Probert got owned, as shown here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAjPizvGJrM

Things were said, and the build up for the next game was so intense, everyone had to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfgtofgrIL4

Why don't we get atmosphere and match-ups like this anymore?

Bettman is running the game into the ground, from a fan perspective.

Originally Posted by Bad Brains

I think everyone would have loved to see Avery get the crap kicked out of him the day after making those comments. What a stupid move by the NHL.

Even if Avery played in the game, he would have turtled like the pansy that he is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU5-HJ9IDOE

Originally Posted by sarcastro83

Hockey used to be huge, and it used to be extremely exciting to watch... Two things have ruined that for me. First, there is the whole strike issue. A bunch of sniveling millionares refusing to play because they don't feel that they're paid enough put a bad taste in a lot of fan's mouths. Watching the NHL now is just watching a bunch of overpaid babies drag their asses. There is simply no passion in the game these days from what I've seen. I'll stick with the Minor Leagues. Those cats are hungry for it, and will play until they're hamburger...
Also, many of the once-prominent Canadian teams folded, and were either shipped off to places, or dropped entirely in favour of expanding the NHL into territories where hockey isn't on the radar as much as sports like baseball, basketball, football etc. These new fans that the NHL is trying to attract probably didn't have much of an attention span for another sporting franchise in the first place... the strike didn't do that lack of attention any favours.

The new shootout rule is ridiculous. Just throwing that out there.

Sean Avery is a complete punk... what kind of hockey player has his own publicist? This douche would be better off on the reality television circuit. It's a shame some of the enforcers I grew up watching aren't around anymore. I'd like to see that guy get his ass handed to him.

Hockey needs guys like Doug Gilmour, Wendell Clark, Scott Stevens, Gordie Howe... guys who played with grit... I just don't see that anymore when I turn on a game...

Back to Bettman. Its not so much the sniveling millionaires that are the problem, its Bettman. Since he took over as NHL commissioner in '93? There have been 2 strikes. All the rule changes that have been implemented since that first lockout have been screwing the game over. He was trying to 'Americanize' the game too much, which took away from the grit of the game.

[StanFan]

Originally Posted by kserg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B53W-7tk4Uw

Splash!!!

[iamlowsound]

I say let him play one more game, but send some guy like Chris Pronger after him. Hit him hard and dirty.

lowsound