The NHL Was Wrong to Suspend Sean Avery for 'Sloppy Seconds' Remark

Well, the league suspended Avery indefinitely Tuesday for the comments, citing "inappropriate public comments, not pertaining to the game," a decision Stars owner Tom Hicks supports. More like, "We wanted to avoid a public slaying on the ice." I think it's likely residue left over from critical comments Avery made about NHL Commish Gary Bettman and his overall standing as being 'the bad boy' of the league.

Let's face it: he didn't swear or do anything that was really outlandish other than be tasteless. I'm not an Avery fan, but this is a knee-jerk reaction for something Avery has the right to do: speak his mind. You hear worse on the drive-time morning show on the radio. Don't pretend this is offensive.

Perhaps the best medicine was for Avery to get his comeuppance and face the pain in person, in Calgary. Maybe that would send a message more so than a suspension that will soon be forgotten. Does this mean there's a conduct policy that all players must adhere to, restricting certain types of language? Exactly what grounds does the NHL have in taking such action? If the team itself had a specific code of conduct they wanted to cite in suspending him, I have no issue with that.

What I do have a problem with is Bettman's reasoning for the suspension. In other words, players must talk about "the game" at all times. They continue to suppress more personality than encourage, which is mind-boggling. I guess that MLB Commish Bud Selig can suspend Alex Rodriguez for his tryst with Madonna or that NBA head honcho David Stern could suspend Shaquille O'Neal for his rap against Kobe Bryant this summer.

It's easier to throw gas on a roaring fire than trying to understand what started the fire to begin with. The NHL kowtowed and suspended a guy for being a jerk, plain and simple. This won't be the last you hear from Sean Avery, but he might have to speak through NHL-sponsored duct tape the next time he does.

Josh Nason—josh@smallwhiteball.com—is the publisher and main writer of Small White Ball, an all-encompassing sports blog that began in 2007. You can also read on mixed martial arts, boxing and pro wrestling at brother site RopesRingandCage.com. If you're using any part of this post, please link back to www.smallwhiteball.com. Thank you!

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