CBC-Sports

Sean Avery broke the unwritten rule of trash talk

December 7, 2008 02:08 PM | Posted by   Elliotte Friedman  

Funny moment during Saturday's Washington-Toronto game:

I'm watching Coach's Corner outside the Capitals dressing room, waiting to chat with assistant Dean Evason. Don Cherry is talking about Sean Avery. From behind, I hear a young voice say, "Is he talking about sloppy seconds?" Turning around, I see a father telling his son - the kid must have been around nine or 10 - "You shouldn't be using that language."

First thought: When I was that age, I had no idea what that phrase meant. What are they saying in the schoolyards these days?

On Friday, Commissioner Bettman held a conference call where I asked him how much he was concerned about on-ice retribution against Avery. His answer was right out of MAD magazine: What, me worry?

I find that hard to believe. Rarely do you hear athletes, even the masters of trash talk, publicly insult the wives or families of their opponents. Think about it. How often have you heard it?

Well, Mike Tyson did it a couple of times, but he's insane, and at least the object of his smack could legally punch him in the face in retribution. Other than that, it's extremely rare. I remember Dale Ellis lighting up the Toronto Raptors because former coach Darrell Walker called him "a drunk" during a game, but even in the NBA I can't think of any such example - and that league is the worst for player-to-player rippage.

Why doesn't this happen more often? Because when girlfriends/wives/families get involved, it gets ugly. Consider:

* On December 1, 2000, ex-Raptor Charles Oakley was suspended three games for firing a basketball at Los Angeles Clippers guard Jeff McInnis. This happened at the morning shootaround, about as boring as anything basketball-related is supposed to be. Oakley never admitted - at least publicly - why he did it, but it involved a woman both men had dated/were dating/something like that. The NBA - and its players - were scared to death of Oakley, who once reportedly punched Charles Barkley at a union meeting.

* I don't remember the date, but I do remember covering the game for The Score. It was Buffalo at Toronto, during the Corson/Tucker years. It isn't exactly a secret that Tucker is married to Corson's sister, and late in the game Buffalo's Rob Ray decided to make a comment about it. I've heard two versions of what was said, and, suffice it to say, neither will be repeated in a family blog. Not surprisingly, the two Leafs were more than mildly annoyed, and chased Ray around the ice. All three were kicked out of the game, but that didn't settle either Corson or Tucker, so they charged down the hallway and tried to get at Ray in the Sabres' dressing room, only to be restrained by security.

* In October 1999, Jeremy Roenick received a five-game suspension for high-sticking Tony Amonte in the face. The act stunned observers because 1) it was unprovoked and 2) they were long-time friends. Then came reports that Roenick was seen arguing with his wife before the third period of that Phoenix/Chicago game, and this heated discussion was based on information Amonte's wife had given Mrs. Roenick.

Now, that example isn't exactly comparable to what Avery did last week, but it does give you an idea of what happens when wives and/or girlfriends become passionately involved. Things spiral out of control. (And the league is real lucky it didn't when Avery made similarly vulgar comments to a New York TV reporter during a Stars/Rangers game this season.) Bettman may refuse to admit it, but the last thing he or the NHL needs is another Bertuzzi incident. CNN would enjoy airing the original comments, followed by the on-ice gong show, just like it did the morning after Steve Moore was injured.

Yes, it's ridiculous to see Avery get six games while brutal hits to the head only get two. I can't disagree with that. However, I support this suspension because you can't allow your players to go down this road. Only bad things can happen. And the NHL, even in refusing to admit it, knows that.

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A few other notes about this incident:

* I've read/heard some columnists/commentators claim that what Avery said wasn't so bad. How many of them, and I'm talking mainstream media here, think they could get away with making similar comments in print or on air?

Curious to see if, after the six games are over, it's decided that Avery will miss more time while he undergoes his therapy.

From what I understand, Avery's counseling will have more to do with his constant need for attention, not anger management. Bettman talked about the multiple warnings Avery received over the years, and the thing about this guy is that he says, "Fine. If I can't do that, I'll think of something else." He just can't help himself.

Will someone - anyone - smack him in the face and tell him, "You know, you could really be a great player if you just shut up?"

The excuses are over for the Dallas Stars. No one, especially Marty Turco, can blame Avery any more for how badly they've played. Anyone who's hated a co-worker understands how that can affect performance, but once that co-worker is gone, it's on you.

The hockey person Avery really must apologize to is Dave Tippett. For the Stars coach to rip Avery as badly as he did in Edmonton is "Man Bites Snake" stuff. What's the opposite of controversial? Dave Tippett. But Avery told him he wouldn't talk that day in Calgary, so Tippett went ahead and defended him to the media. Way to repay that favour, Sean. As Kelly Hrudey pointed out in Thursday's Rangers-Canadiens broadcast, it's going to be hard to get a coach to trust him now.

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