Let the Punishment Fit the Crime

Let me first say that what Sean Avery said was crude, classless, and uncalled for. We know that. He's not the kind of guy I'd like to see my daughter date (if I had a daughter) and not the kind of guy I would want to hang out with. But 6 games is ridiculous. What am I talking about? Avery was suspended 6 games for his comments the other day when he called his ex-girlfriends "sloppy seconds" when they dated other NHL players.

Avery has already served 2 games of that suspension and will miss 4 more. After that, the Dallas Stars may or may not take further action against him. Avery told Stars GM Brett Hull "I need help." He agreed to be evaluated for anger management. Avery's behavior has long alienated his opponents on the ice and now his teammates as well. Mike Modano said: "You have to move on and start a new chapter, and that's kind of what we're planning on doing and working toward,"

All that being said, he made some off color comments, that's it. He didn't shoot himself with a unlicensed gun. He didn't get pulled over for speeding and get arrested for drug possession, and he didn't hit any of those girlfriends. The leagues fine you when you criticize the referees. That's what should have happened here. They should have mandated that he seek some counseling for his anger problems. But to suspend him 6 games is a bit much. This coming from a league where there is league sanctioned fighting. Why do I say league sanctioned? It is thought that the on-ice fighting is "part of the game." When 2 guys are ready to fight, they do a little dance before they get going. If the league didn't want fighting, the refs would be instructed to jump right in a break it up. These refs watch the action and then when one player is taken down by the other, only then is the altercation stopped.

So while Avery should not be excused for his comments, please let the punishment fit the crime. And let's clean-up this senseless fighting in the league.