Why Sean Avery is a joke...

OK, OK, you probably think I am biased because I don't like Sean Avery. Well I will try not to be biased. I won't just say I hate him and he sucks and so on. I will just tell you why he is a joke based on facts.

I understand players have roles on teams and his role is not different than David Clarkson on the Devils this year. He is supposed to be an energy/agitator type of guy. I think guys like that are vital to the game and they bring spices to the sport.

In my previous post about the Tampa Bay game, I lauded Clarkson's game and the way he got under the skin of A. Roy who sucker punched him and got a double minor penalty. Clarkson, just tagged a 'bonehead minor leaguer" by Sean Avery, showed in this game that he fulfilled his role to the T. He fought twice, hit guys and got under people's skin. So I really don't have a problem with that kind of action on the ice and I have nothing against fighting either.

The best example of the role of fighting happened last year with Cam Janssen. When he hit Kaberle and got suspended, the suspension didn't set things for either team. When the two teams faced each other again, I believe Wade Belak asked to fight Janssen and whether you call it "The Code", or just setting things, Janssen DID NOT BACK DOWN. Janssen knew this was coming, and he was ready for it. His hit on Kaberle had damaging effects and as soon as Kaberle hit the ice, Janssen knew he would have to pay for what he did.

This brings me to what happened with Avery last night. If you want more details, you can check Tom Gulitti's articles in the Record and on his blog.


The facts
During warm up, Avery YAPPED to Brodeur and also Clarkson, finally pointing his stick at Clarkson in a defying manner. Later on when Clarkson and Avery were in front of the Rangers bench, Clarkson invited Avery to fight, but he politely declined.

Then Avery wanted to fight Parise telling him to 'make a statement'. What statement would Parise make when Avery doesn't want to fight David Clarkson?

After Calling Martin Brodeur "Marty the diver", he also said "I can't understand a word he says with his accent" when asked if Martin Brodeur said anything to him. Well this is reminiscent of stuff he said a couple years back about french Canadians.

Well Mr Avery, I understand your game, I also respect it. But my problem is when all your talking and yapping is not backed up by acts on the ice. When you decline a fight that would "make a statement" against one of our tough guy, not one of our stars, I have a problem with that. When you make comments about a French Canadian who have lived in the USA for years and whose accent is probably better than Arnold Schwartzeneger, I have a problem. So please, do us a favor, keep doing what you do but at least have the courage to pay the price. At least our so called 'Bonehead minor leaguers' Clarkson and Janssen have the guts to pay the price. You Mr Avery, are turning into a joke.

If you want to know more about Sean Avery's claim of fame, you can read the following articles : Avery says Laraque made up racial slur / Kings' Avery needs to think first, talk later / Bad blood brewing /

Below is a transcript of Hockey Night in Canada crew's reaction to last night's events.


Ron Mc Lean: You are going to love this (Brodeur and Avery Stretching)
PJ Stock: here's your boy, here's your boy!!! I ll get it going before... First of all, there is no place for this in the game (when Avery points his stick at Clarkson), that's a penalty right there, there is no place for this in the game. This is in warm up
Scott Mellanby: This is in warm up, Look at this! Why doesn't Avery fight this guy (when Clarkson is in his face in front of the bench)
PJS: every team in my opinion needs some sort of Sean Avery, some sort of him. He's extreme, he is the extreme
SM: I have no respect for the guy. You know what? It is too bad because he is a good player. He can score, he can pass, he's tough. But keep your mouth shut, it's Marty Brodeur. He's done it last year in the playoffs with Kovalchuk, he's done it to Marty Brodeur. I know this is kind of his thing but I can't buy into that. No respect for the guy.
PJS: I have nothing wrong with this. Trying to throw Marty Brodeur off his game. He is trying to throw Marty Brodeur off the game. But... This talking at Pandolfo before the whistle (during a faceoff) Really there is nothing that much. But when you do get challenged, you got to step up to the play. Off course he is coming back, here he is again (with Parise). The smart thing for Zach Parise to do is do not look at him. How do you frustrate a guy like Sean Avery: you pay no attention to him.
SM: If you are going to skate to a guy in the warmup and point your stick at a guy's face and then he comes later in the game... Clemmenson... uhh...not Clemmenson ... but Clarkson, you got to fight the guy.