Avery Opens Mouth, NHL Goes PC

Sean Avery of the Dallas Stars is at it again-this time OFF the ice. The much traveled Avery has logged more time in fines and suspensions than anyone President Bush pardoned last week.

Yesterday after practice, reporters were waiting to ask Avery about negative comments he’d made about Calgary Flames star Jerome Iginla the other day. Avery asked if a camera was on, and then said this:

"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." He then walked out of the locker room.

It should be pointed out that Avery once dated actress Elisha Cuthbert of “24” fame, and model Rachel Hunter. Cuthbert is now supposedly dating Dion Phaneuf of the Flames. Hunter, the former Mrs. Rod Stewart, is now the main squeeze of Kings center Jarret Stoll. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has suspended Avery indefinitely for “inappropriate public comments not related to the game.”

Sure, Avery is 100% idiot. His antics are wearing thing. Ask both former Rangers teammates and Devils goalie Martin Brodeur about him. BUT: SUSPENDING HIM IS WRONG!! Why is it alright to (rightfully) blast elected officials (someone recently told me Bush was the Antichrist) but not make a totally innocuous comment? Honestly, if the NHL wasn’t so worried about pressure from women’s groups, NO ONE would know about this. Bettman should concern himself with his none descript TV ratings. If Sidney Crosby, one of the game’s few marketable stars, made this comment, it ruffles a few feathers and goes away. Avery's incident is the most publicity the NHL has gotten since Wayne Gretzky retired. But the league now has reason to part with Avery if it wishes, even if it’s just for saying something stupid.

Check out the video board to hear Sean Avery