Coach Dave Tippett just talked to us outside of the Stars' locker room here in Edmonton, and the disappointment he felt yesterday about this whole Sean Avery mess has now turned into more frustration and embarrassment. And his opinion about Avery was pretty strong:
"I try to build a team that has an atmosphere where coaches care about each other and play for each other and play with continuity, and I find it hard to believe Sean could come back in that dressing room and we could find that continuity again. That’s up in the air, but that’s my personal feelings on it."
Tippett continued:
"With every team there are little issues here and there, and some small ones with him and other players, also. But nothing I would classify as derogatory. But (Tuesday's comments) is taking it too far. He’s painted our organization with a brush nobody wants to be painted with. Strictly from a personal standpoint, that’s now how I want to be perceived to be as an organization or a team. My job is to build a best team possible. I don’t know if we can build the best team possible with Sean coming back."
Part of Tippett's frustration came from just prior to Avery's comments on Tuesday morning. Tippett stood outside the locker room defending Avery, saying most of what surrounds him was blown out of proportion. Tippett said Avery told him he would not be talking to the media after the skate, and then he went out and did that. Tippett didn't see it all until he got back to the hotel room.
"It was a calculated statement for, what I feel, was personal gain," Tippett said.
Looks like Avery will be the casualty of a last place team, needing to shake things up. If what I saw was all he said, it was a pretty weak 'fake-outrage.' The TV mic picks up far worse at games.
Dump Avery if he isn't working out, but 'come on... that is the worst thing in the whole world?! You want venting?! How about Tippett's post season record?! Now THAT is offensive!
Posted by: Dallas Stars STH | December 03, 2008 at 09:41 PM