From TSN:
The National Hockey League came down hard on Dallas Stars superpest Sean Avery Friday, handing him a six-game suspension for making inappropriate public comments prior to the Stars’ game in Calgary on Tuesday.
The move is retroactive to Tuesday’s game against the Flames, with four more games to be served.
Read the entire story here.
There were rumors that Avery might get as many as ten games, but considering the NHL gives out two game suspensions for hitting from behind or hits to the head, a six-game suspension is pretty harsh. It is clear to me that the NHL is trying to set a precedent here that will limit personal comments from player-to-player in the media. Say what you want about the NHL’s decision, but they really did have to come down hard on Avery. If they didn’t, then comments like these, or likely even more offensive comments, would be considered “fair game” by the players.
