Five for Fighting

Why the Sean Avery discussion is important

    I was reading some of your comments on Sean Avery over the past couple of days, and it got me thinking. I understand why many of you don't want to talk about him, don't like him or simply want to put the subject to bed after a long and frustrating season. I also understand the logic of asking us to update every other former Stars player and his progress if we are going to update you on Avery.
    But the reason I think Avery is an interesting case study worthy of discussion is because his story is still unfolding in a timely fashion (he just got picked up by the Rangers in early March) and because he touches so many different aspects of the team and the league.
    Let's start with this: Why has he been so successful in New York? Is it because he tries harder there, that he fits in better there, that he learned his lesson in Dallas and is a new man now? Or is it simply (as so many Rangers fans will tell you) that they know how to handle him and the Stars did not? And if it is the latter, why did the Stars not know how to handle him? Is it because the two organizations are philosophically different? Do the Stars preach team over everything, while the Rangers allow for individuality? Is it good that each team has its own identity, and are you happy the Stars run their organization the way they do? And if you do feel that way, should we as fans cut players like Mike Modano some slack for being able to be able to fall in line more often than not, to put the organization ahead of himself for a great deal of his career?
    Can the Avery debate reach that far? If you don't feel the structured system is best, can you ask why the Stars weren't able to adapt to Avery? He obviously has talent. He can skate, he can agitate, he can score goals. When you watch him now and see what his high-end potential is, do you cut Brett Hull a little more slack for liking what he saw? Could Avery have been the final piece if the team was healthy or was it simply the wrong player at the wrong time? (I still believe it was the wrong player, but it sure doesn't look as foolish now that you see what the guy can do when he's on his game).
    And that leads to the question about the front office. If Hull was allowed to pursue his vision of a team, would it work out? Would he be able to blend the many personalities the way that the Rangers seem to be doing right now? Would Hull take the Stars in a different direction and push it over the top, as many of you would like to do? Stars owner Tom Hicks said he wanted Hull to be a co-GM to give a different point of view, but if a different point of view is not going to fit in a very structured organization, then what good is it?
    And last, but maybe most entertaining, does Avery's success on Broadway and the current use of him as a marketing tool (by the NHL, NBC and Versus) strike just a bit of an ironic chord in this sport? I honestly believe Avery was trying to prove he was a brilliant marketer when he uttered those offensive words in Calgary back in December. He wanted to show the NHL that he knew how to bring in a crowd. And you know what, he was right. His technique was wrong, but his vision was right. And now, the league is telling him as much by using ``Sean-cam'' and placing him on the biggest stages. I wonder if they conferred with him on marketing ideas when he was away at behavioral therapy (and why aren't they sending more players away for behavioral therapy).
    Anyway, in a very long-winded way, that is the reason I believe we need to talk about Sean Avery. So to quote my good friend R. Durrett: ``You thoughts?'' _Mike Heika

One team's train wreck, another team's salvation?

Hey kids,

Just reading over all the Sean Avery hubbub, and how a lot of New York Rangers fans are welcoming his return. Part of that is probably because the Rangers are currently leaking worse than a Johnstown, Pa., dam circa 1889 (wow, I worked hard for that one, folks, so how about a little love).

But the other part of the equation is this: Many Rangers fans loved this guy. I mean looooved this guy, even with all the quirks, trouble, drama that came with him. When the Stars got him in the offseason, I got a few e-mails from New Yorkers just steamed beyond belief that the Rangers didn't do more to keep Avery on Broadway. Hey, if they want him, if he works for him, then more power to them. The Stars obviously don't miss him (please see their record since Dec. 2).

So giving my best New Yorker "whaddya think," here's my question: Will Avery, back in his NYC element, be what the Rangers need... or is he just going to add to their problems?

-- Tracey Myers

Bettman on Avery

Gary Bettman apparently chatted about Sean Avery at a luncheon in Edmonton. Not too much different from what he said on the conference call the day he suspended Avery six games, but for a little light reading, here you are:

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -  NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman discussed Sean Avery's recent comments and the Dallas Stars' reaction on Tuesday before a luncheon crowd in this NHL town.
Avery was only 23 games into a $15.5 million, four-year deal with Dallas when Bettman suspended the player for Dec. 2 remarks about the personal lives of other hockey players.
He was eligible to return from his six-game ban Sunday, but the Stars instead announced Avery will not rejoin the team -- ever.
Bettman said Avery's remark offended him as a parent.
"To be perfectly honest I wouldn't want to have to explain to my 12-year-old daughter what he said," the commissioner said.
Bettman said he hasn't spoken to the Stars but added that they've handled the situation professionally; the team has continued to pay Avery's salary while it explores other options.
When he was suspended, Avery told the Stars he needed help dealing with anger issues. Co-general manager Brett Hull said Sunday that Avery was in a 10-day, voluntary program that could be extended if counselors determine he needs a longer stay.

Hull talks of decision

Just got off the conference call regarding the Sean Avery decision, and here's some of what co-general manager Brett Hull had to say:
On his emotions now that this is all over: "It runs a whole gamut of emotions. I'm disappointed and I would imagine that he’s disappointed. It’s been difficult because not only has it seemed to not work with Sean and his teammates, but even the city. The team wasn’t playing well and on top of it, the issues off the ice compounded things and decisions had to be made, Fortunately for Sean he admitted to some problems. Disappointment? Yeah. Frustration? Yeah. You pick ‘em (the emotions), and they've probably been here over the last few weeks."

On how everyone tried to make it work with Sean: "There were a lot of people doing a lot of talking, a lot in the dressing room, from coach Dave Tippett  and others. For my part, most of my discussions were on his conduct and how the Stars want their players to conduct themselves. We were stating that we don’t want you to change as a player. That’s why we wanted you to play with our team. But the unnecessary stuff, that was embarrassing. It needed to stop, and that didn’t happen."

Hull said he has not talked to Avery (only to reps), and that Avery is apparently in a 10-day program of some sort at the moment. As for what the Stars can do next with him: "Whatever they’re doing, they'll figure out if that’s enough or if he needs more. During that time, Les (Jackson) and I and the organization will be looking into those options. There's no sense talking about it until he gets better. Until people know he’s taking care of problems, I imagine it’s too high of a risk (to take him)."

About not challenging the contract: "This was not a witch hunt. We understand Sean had problems, people are human, we don’t want to ruin Sean or his career. We want him to get better. We needed to part ways with him and it’s amicable that way. The Stars need to move on and he needs to take care of himself so he can continue to play. He hasn’t done anything heinous enough where his career should end. We just wanted to make sure everyone was taken care of."

That's the gist of what we had this morning. Hull reiterated that he and the Stars won't stop taking risks, but that this one just "went overboard." So onward we go, kids.

Avery is done in Dallas

The worst-kept secret is now official: Sean Avery's time with the Stars is now over. The release was just sent out that Avery will continue to seek his help and the Stars are moving on without him. As I said, foregone conclusion at this point. The more newsy part of this is that the Stars will not challenge Avery's contract; so he'll get his cash. We'll get Brett Hull on a conference call at 10 a.m. so we'll update after that.

Here's the release:

Frisco, Tex. -- The Dallas Stars today announced that forward Sean Avery will not return to the NHL team. Representatives for both Avery and the Stars said they would continue to work together in support of Avery during “this critical time” for the player. All parties said there is a clear understanding that a return to the Stars is not in the best interest of either the hockey club or Avery.

“Sean needs to focus on his own well-being while the Stars hockey team must focus on playing hockey and competing for a playoff spot,” said Stars Co-General Manager Brett Hull. “Everyone understands that Sean will not return to the Dallas Stars. We all need to move forward.”

Stars management also said the team would not seek to challenge Avery’s contract under the conduct clause included in the Standard Player’s Contract. The agreement’s Paragraph 2 (e) directs all NHL players “to refrain from conduct detrimental to the best interest of the Club, the League or professional hockey generally.” Avery was suspended by the NHL last week for comments he made prior to a game with Calgary.

“The message here is: no distractions. Sean can focus on resolving his personal issues,” said Hull, “and the Stars will have closure on this episode. The team needs to put its energies into winning.”

The Stars said the team will continue to honor Avery’s contract while exploring all options for his hockey future consistent with the terms of his counseling.

“We do care about Sean and want what is best for him,” said Hull. “We’ve agreed to do what we can to help find him a place to play hockey once he addresses his personal issues.”

Avery decision comes tomorrow

Hey kids,

Someone asked that on a post here on Friday night, and just wanted to keep ya updated. Tomorrow morning will be it... The suspension was officially over with tonight's game at Nashville, and it's Sean Avery decision time. We'll be hearing something in the a.m. about what the Stars will do with their acquisition gone bad.

Let's face it: He's done here. Coach Dave Tippett has made himself clear. So have some of this team's veterans. Buh-bye. That's the foregone conclusion. So the question is, what do you do with him? Ship him off to a minor-league team? Ship him across the pond? I guess this is why it's good that the Stars don't have just one minor-league affiliate anymore; have some options there, if some team wants to take him on.

If I may break off the beaten path here for a second... if Avery truly needs help, I hope he gets it. We all know someone (or have been there ourselves) where direction in life was badly needed. Help was needed. If there's a problem, this is his chance to get a grip on it and fix it.

Meanwhile, for the Stars, tomorrow's decision is the finale of the "let's move on" tour that began, basically, as soon as Avery uttered those infamous words in Calgary. The drama is just about over.

Anyway, your opinion: What would you do with Avery?

Hull comments

Brett Hull talked a few minutes ago. Here's a little bit of what was said: "I thought he was the type of guy our dressing room needed. Obviously it went overboard."

"When Tom Hicks, who's pretty hands off and let's us do our thing, when he steps in, (Avery's) crossed a huge line."

 "(Avery) has some issues to deal with. You've got to take care of the player. You've got to fix him first. Hockey is secondary."

On if there were other times he's had to talk to Avery about issues, or if players have come with concerns: "A little bit, but it was more of outbursts to fans and officials and whatnot. I tried to explain (to Avery) that being a Star means carrying yourself with character. Do your thing but you can't embarrass the organization. We won't stand for that."

On Avery needing professional help: "That was brought up by him. He made the phone call."

Hull was asked about a few things, one being based on a TSN report that the Stars had considered sending Avery to Manitoba before the comments flew. Hull denied it. "Nothing’s been talked about at all."

Avery suspended six games

Just saw the story on NHL.com.... it's six games, without pay (retroactive to the Calgary game), for Sean Avery. He'll forfeit just a penny under $125,000 for this.

Also, he's agreed to seek professional anger-management evaluation and (possibly) counseling for his continued behavior, which the NHL has deemed unacceptable and antisocial.

We'll be talking to Brett Hull about this in a few minutes. Les Jackson told me last night that, whatever the Stars decide to do with Avery, it won't be decided until next week.

Anyway, be back with more in a few minutes. Here's the link to the NHL story.

Meeting in N.Y.

Sean Avery's meeting with Gary Bettman is going on now, should hear something later today or tomorrow morning, blah, blah, blah.

Sorry, but this part of the story doesn't interest me a whole lot at the moment. Just waiting more to find out what the Stars' plan of action is once Bettman's made his decision.

Not sure this post had a point, actually... sorry, the fatigue factor is still high. Flying home soon from Phoenix, so we'll keep an eye on the news.

More than words

It's been a long two days, and I'm going to be pretty succinct in what I have to say right now (I should take my time and ramble, since I'm sitting in Calgary's airport at 2 a.m.).

A lot of people still seem to think the Stars are having this reaction over one quote. Come on, folks, you've read the comments from players, from the coach, from the GMs, etc. This was sooooo much more than just about one friggin' quote. To anyone who hasn't seen it yet, check out Jennifer Floyd Engel's column.

This situation with Avery had become like a volcano. The pressure had been building... just needed someething to trigger the eruption. Enter dumb quote here.

So what next? Ship him to the minors? Buy him out? The Stars have certainly done that before. It's going to cost the Stars no matter which way they go. I'm thinking they really don't care.

OK, the mix of coffee and Timbits is doing absolutely nothing. See you back home, folks.