I agree about the on ice focus, but think that in order to get some non-hockey fans interested in the on-ice game, you might have to have spark some interest in the off-ice stuff too.

As an aside, put this in context. NFL’ers shoot themselves in the leg with an illegally held gun and a teammate tries to hide the gun and yet the league functions just fine. An NHL’er makes disparaging comments about his ex-girlfriend, and gets suspended indefinitely. Doesn’t seem right to me.

Given that Dallas ownership appears to be well-respected by the league, I’d say the club wants to be rid of SA and is getting the league to do its dirty work. Nothing on paper, you understand. Nod, nod,…

It’s in every contract that a team can terminate a player without prejudice if he is suspended by the league (or the club?) for conduct detrimental to the team and/or league, isn’t it?

That would make the contract void and end the team’s obligations and allow it to walk away, wouldn’t it? And the Stars would “Have no choice under the rules of the league, with regret, blah blah, wish him well, et cetera, et cetera…”

Which, if it is the result, is ironic because as you point out, it will bring endless commentary and controversy — but not about hockey ON THE ICE, which is where the focus needs to be.

And sad, because as you also point out, Avery can play and play well.

(Drew: Bob’s Law #12: Life without irony is like bread without yeast.)