NEW YORK – After suspending Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery for six games, without pay, as a result of inappropriate public comments that he made Tuesday in Calgary, it’s obvious that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is out of touch with his players and should consider stepping down from the league.

To play Bettman’s game, Avery has agreed to seek a professional anger management evaluation and, if necessary, structured counseling in response to a pattern of unacceptable and antisocial behavior.

During a conference call with the NHL Media, Bettman added that if the counselors decide Avery “needs more time”, his time away from the game could be longer.

“Mr. Avery has expressed remorse for his recent comments and has sought a professional anger management evaluation,” Bettman said. “I will require that he follow through with that process as a condition of his returning to the ice and that he complies with any and all recommendations.

“Playing in the National Hockey League is a privilege, requiring a high standard of personal behavior. Mr. Avery forfeits that privilege for six games.”

A reporter asked Bettman what “anti-social remarks have to do with anger management” and “why other players who have in the past been suspended for violent acts on the ice were not required to attend anger management classes”.

Bettman, whos league was beaten out in the ratings by Sponge Bob during last year’s playoffs,  could muster up no logical response to those questions.

Chris Pronger has been suspended several times for high sticking or other violent injury-causing attacks on the ice and when Todd Bertuzzi jumped off the bench, sucker-punched opposing player Steve Moore, breaking his neck and ending his career, he was not required to get any anger management counseling whatsoever. (see the pic of Moore leaving the ice on a stretcher with his broken neck)

Bettman tried to skate around these and other questions simply stating Avery’s situation was “Completely out of the norm”.

Sounds more like there exists a commissioner in one of the major sports who is the one that is “out of the norm”, are you listening Mr. Bettman?

Copyright © 2008 – Sports Climax

NEW YORK – Sean Avery met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman today to discuss his indefinite suspension from the league but no decision was made by the league.

This league allows players to stand toe-to-toe and beat the living shit out of each other, breaking noses, gashing cheeks then ‘disciplines them’ by letting them take a five minute break and sip water in an air-conditioned box.

Then they have the audacity to hit a guy in the pocketbook by suspending him for suggesting his ex-girlfriends are a little bit on the slutty side.

Avery, known for his peskiness on the ice and his trail of controversy off it, was suspended after making a crude remark regarding two ex-girlfriends of his who are dating other hockey players and how those players were visiting places he had already been.

Avery first confirmed the camera was on then said, “I’m just going to say one thing. 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 can be a crude mutha’ for sure but the bottom line is, he did not break any rules.

Any other league would have just shook their heads and let the media roll with it then reap the rewards of the publicity. The chicken-shit Bettman did the opposite and was quick to apologize and discipline.

The NHL needs a few guys like Avery, but the problem is, their idiot commissioner and marketing department doesn’t realize it.

The only time we see the league in the news is when a player is hit with assault charges for attacking someone on the ice or when Avery decides to make headlines. Like he did during last year’s playoffs with his altercation with Martin Brodeur, or when he finds the right time to flip off a camera or verbally battle hockey fans surrounding the penalty boxes around the league.

Look at the NFL and its “bad guys”. I am not condoning guns in clubs and brawls in stalls but if and when these incidents happen, it’s a headache, they deal with it then capitalize on the frenzy of attention and publicity–the NHL does not.

The onslaught of media attention following Plaxico Burress’ gun incident and the six drug test suspensions are great examples of how the old saying “Any publicity is good publicity” holds true.

The NFL Super Bowl has a price tag of $3 million dollars per 30 second commercial spot in 2009.

The dismally-rated NHL was beat out in the ratings by Sponge Bob during the playoffs last spring so you have to wonder how hard Bettman really should come down on Avery.

Truth is, Bettman should kiss Avery’s ass and thank him for reminding ESPN that hockey exists.

Copyright © 2008 – Sports Climax