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NHL looking into Avery incident

TIM WHARNSBY

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 7:20 PM EST 12/11/07

League examining taunts allegedly made by Rangers agitator towards Leafs wingers Blake and Tucker ...Read the full article

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  1. George Hall from Canada writes: I don't think winning would be very gratifying the way Avery goes about it..kind of wimpy if you ask me.
    I like a hard fought game played within the rules with sportsmanship , not the classless second rate so called professionalism that is todays NHL.
    I think the NBA is a classier league when the players congratulate each other after the game...and play with some measure of integrity.

  2. garlick toast from Canada writes: tucker's getting a little old for such actions.he should save himself for the game.avery is just another goon.live by the goon,die by the goon.my good old hockey game has become a goon show,not enough talent to stock the teams in existence.i don't know why more of them don't go to europe where they can play the game and still have a life.
  3. Mitchell A from Canada writes: You people are all clueless. If any of you think that Avery is strictly a goon, you obviously don't know your hockey. This guy can play too. And what happened on Sat folks, it's part of the game, intimidation is part of it. I coach a local Bantam hockey team and part of our game is intimidation of our opponents. This sport is not for sissy's contrary to what most people believe now a days, thanks to Bettman of course.

    And that line about his wife, hahaha. Classic
  4. John Ferguson Jr. for Mayor of Scarborough from Toronto, Canada writes: TO ALL WHO READ THIS!

    Please ignore MITCHELL A...

    I'm hoping he didn't understand that Avery's comments were talking about Blake's death, but if he did, then he's not happy in life and sadly coaching some people's kids.

    I hope he gets removed if he meant that comment.
  5. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Mitchell A;

    I'm sure glad you aren't coaching my son.
    I've been playing hockey for 45 years...... bullsh*t like the comment your laughing at comes straight out of Slapshot.... not real hockey.
  6. John Ferguson Jr. for Mayor of Scarborough from Toronto, Canada writes: HEY SCOT...
    You're one of the good ones on here...don't get sucked in.

    Cheers.
  7. John Ferguson Jr. for Mayor of Scarborough from Toronto, Canada writes: Back to the article...

    Avery will pay a heavy price for this one. Aside from on ice retribution, he'll have to try and sleep at night.

    Sad really, but he didn't think his words would get heard and now he's been punked.

    Finally.
  8. Mitchell A from Canada writes: Hahahaha.....Leaf fans.
  9. garlick toast from Canada writes: no class,no self-control and hopefully,no future.
  10. tom h from Canada writes: That's awesome... Tucker saying that Avery has no class. Pot? Meet kettle.
  11. simple tonne from Canada writes: Never knew Leafs fans were so sensitive.... just like the players they cheer on.
  12. Mac - GLG from Canada writes: Avery is a good player but has zero class. He has to be a troubled individual like Mitchell A. Possibly needing help.

    I wouldn't let either one of them alone with my kids and Mitchel being a coach is asking for trouble down the road.

    Tucker is every bit the agitator that Avery is but shows more respect to opponents that that little weasel.
  13. Mr. Callaghan from Canada writes: Mitchell A. sounds like one of those clowns your hear in the news every once in a while when some coach crosses the line. Lets hope he is kidding about the coaching bit.
  14. Mike Mike from writes: Totally agree... Call the guy any names you want, but don't get into his personal life, especially if there’s been a tragic event. I have officiated hockey for quite some time and if I hear a comment from a player that touches on another player's personal life he gets a game from me automatically &8211; no &8216;ifs&8217; or &8216;buts&8217;. (in rec hockey, unfortunately I can&8217;t do this in minor leagues) Partially, I do this because it is classless and makes mockery of a game we all love. Two, it is because I don't a riot on my hands when the team starts targeting the idiot.

    Hopefully, Avery will get what he deserves coming both from the league and from the players.
  15. J Law from Canada writes: Avery insults Downie's mother. May he rest in peace.
  16. M T from Ottawa, Canada writes: Mike Mike writes 'Call the guy any names you want, but don't get into his personal life, especially if there’s been a tragic event'

    But he always mentions Heatley's car crash. So Mike Mike, by your own definition you are a classless idiot.
  17. Bob McDonald from Canada writes: Professional sports isn't just about the game - it's about being an example to youngsters. Avery is a poor model for kids. He is not the first pro athlete that was a bad example and he won't be the last. What sets a sport apart is what the sports leaders do about fools like Avery. Every league has their issues. Hockey has gotten better but the bar should be raised every year. Fans expect it.
  18. Reasonable Ranter from Toronto, Canada writes: That Avery is a middle of the road player does not take away from the fact that he's a first-rate mouthpiece. He really has zero class, regardless of the comparison to Tucker...so much so that he just plain embarrasses himself. At present, he might be regarded for being effective at throwing opposition players off their game but his legacy will be null...fans and peers won't be remembering him for his game, that's for sure.
  19. Spencer C from Canada writes: Tucker calling out Avery is the most blatant case of the pot calling the kettle black that I have ever seen.

    The T.O. media and fans have defended the gutess Tucker for years yet choose to act all high and mighty when it comes to Avery.

    And for those who say he is just a goon, well if that is so how did a goon manage a goal and an assist against the Leafs?

    The hypocrisy is hilarious.
  20. Rick Flair from shwa', Canada writes: A whole lot of speculation going on for sure. I do not think that what Avery said was to the extreme that some speculate. The Leafs are not the kind of team to let something like that slide. If Avery were to say something that disprespected a player to that extent it would have been an ugly situation. When you look to guys like Tucker who was in there within a couple of seconds, if Avery said what people speculate he said, there would have been no hesitation on his part to drop the gloves right then and there. If I were to venture a guess, it was probably Avery run his mouth, probably said something lacking of class, but not anything about Cancer or Leukemia. You can bet your a$$ that if Avery said anything about Leukemia or Blake's wife, aside from the usual stupidity that guys say about someone's wife, Blake would have two-handed him across the face. Think of it this way, if someone said something about your wife, or any other loved one, in the context that some are speculating, would you even flinch? Now, turn your mind to a guy who has nothing but tragedy in his life for the past few years, and you will understand that what Avery said was probably classless, but not to the extent that people are speculating. As for comparing Tucker to Avery, there isn't any comparison to ever be made. Tucker may run off his mouth and get under all his opponents' skin, but he has never demonstrated to be lacking class. Bonehead decisions at times, but has never ventured into the depths of saying anything about someone's race or culture. So, comments of 'the pot calling kettle black', a stretch to say the least. You don't have to like Tucker, unless he plays for your team, he wants you to hate him. Hence his role. He plays his role perfectly. Avery plays that role and then some.
  21. John Ferguson Jr. for Mayor of Scarborough from Toronto, Canada writes: SPENCER...
    You hate the Leafs, we get it!

    Move on, this article is about Avery dumba$$.
  22. Spencer C from Canada writes: JFJ: I don't see what my opinion of the Leafs has to do with the hypocrisy of one pest calling out another pest for being a pest.

    Everything else about what was actually said is just speculation.
  23. M Goose from Canada writes: When players say certain things that break 'the code' in hockey the dressing can become a very interesting place. It can either have a positive effect where the team feels everyone is against them or a polarizing effect where the team slowly turns against it's own player internally. I wouldn't be surprised if the Rangers stink it up over the next couple of weeks and Avery either gets traded or gets 'accidentally' injured in practice from a Shanahan clapper of the ankle.

    Avery blows.
  24. John Ferguson Jr. for Mayor of Scarborough from Toronto, Canada writes: A pest and commenting on Blake's cancer is a little different. I wish I could state something on here, BUT...it happened and a teammate DID confirm it.

    I will say this...
    My brother is an agent in the NHL and this will get ugly fast. No speculation, except for Avery fans.

    Aside from all the cheap shots in this column, I'm not bull##$% you.

    Thanks and sorry for calling you a DA! Uncalled for, just frustrated as I'm privy to more info then most.

    My problem is I'm a Leafs fan and can tell you that my insider info says there's NO relief in sight!

    Cheers.
  25. bob barker from Guelph, Canada writes: Is trash talking not part of all sports. Can the leafs use this as another excuse why they can't win games. These are professionals and they are in the NHL because they have the skill sets to be there. Maybe the NHLPA should put on some refresher courses on how to deal with the mental part of the game when someone says something bad about your mother.
  26. Rick Flair from shwa', Canada writes: Spencer: The point that JFJ was trying to make is an obvious one. Avery goes beyond being a pest, and Avery flirts with the line between being without class and psychotic. The league shouldn't do anything to Avery and finally let the players deal with it. You won't have to worry about situations like 'the Bertuzzi incident'. Players are well aware of the boundaries now and Avery will answer for what he has done. Tucker is all class and has never done anything to make a mockery of the game or any players on the ice. As mentioned earlier, Tucker gets paid to do two things, play tough hockey and pi$$ everyone off who stands on the other side of the faceoff circle. If you are a real fan you will look to your team, whoever that is, and realize that your team has 'a Tucker'. Unfortunately for most teams, they don't have someone of Tucker's role that does it so well. It is not often that a guy like that can be such a pest, keep his hockey composure and be such an asset to his team. If you don't like Tucker and are not a Leaf fan, enough said. He has done half of his job, now I hope he can start to do the other half now that he is healthy.
  27. John Ferguson Jr. for Mayor of Scarborough from Toronto, Canada writes: Great point BOB??????????????????????????????????
  28. JM Work from Canada writes: Avery is paid to do a job. Do NOT blame him. If anything, blame the league and NHLPA for the rules and not protecting their players.

    Avery does a great job for what he is paid to do. Change the rules and he would no longer make an NHL team roster.

    Lastly, the Leafs are classy in their complaint. The Leafs got beat up and abused and this is the best they can do.
  29. sdlkjsdf !dslk;safd;lkg from Canada writes: Tucker and Avery. That's like choosing between typhus and diptheria.
    When guys like P Bergeron are nearly crippled by cheapshots it's farcical that anyone in the NHL head office would spend five seconds worried about a few harsh words escaping from some two-bit dips$#t's mouth. Or what the gutless neanderthal in blue&white said back to him.
  30. Another Opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: You guys amuse me. You're basically debating what is and is not acceptable from players who... like it or not... wouldn't even BE in the NHL if they weren't professional jerks.

    Darcy Tucker is, like it or not, a cheap shot artist with minors in diving and turtling. Say what you want about his 'style', the man would be lucky to make the cut on a team that actually had talent.

    Darcy is, in turn, criticizing Avery who is such a remarkable hockey phenom that most teams couldn't get rid of him fast enough. It's hardly surprising he's found a home in New York.

    If we're going to talk hockey, couldn't we talk about players who can skate and pass and shoot? Why do we have to talk about these marginal idiots who can barely justify their presence in the league?
  31. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: Hey JFJ, you obviously never played the game. Intimidation is part of it. From the story, there was no mention of Blake, which I agree is over the line. But to put this on Avery when it was Tucker (watch the replay) that started swinging his stick first, is wrong. Avery is more than a goon, and all you Laffs fans would be happyt to have him on your team.

    Tucker doesn't have the ability to even talk about this kind of stuff, given his history, both on the ice and pregame. Tucker calling Avery classless was the funniest thing I saw that night.

    Don't try to make it about Blake JFJ, try to read the story first before making stupid comments.
  32. Clark The Mighty from Canada writes: Globe, stop deleting my posts.

    I overheard Avery. He talked about Blake's condition and made a comment about his wife, his death, and how much money they'd have together when he's gone.
  33. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: Please JFJ, my bro is an agent? You know the truth, when we read the media and radio, and everyone agrees nothing was said about Blake and cancer? Give it a rest....
  34. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: How very nice and thoughtful of the G&M to repeat/rehash racial taunts made a few years ago in Edmonton...I am sure George really appreciates it!!!....like you might as well keep it fresh!!........
  35. John Ferguson Jr. for Mayor of Scarborough from Toronto, Canada writes: JM...
    You'd make a brutal lawyer!

    Lol!

    Cheers.
  36. George Hall from Canada writes: How about Tucker waving his stick in Averys' face...the NHL is such a mickey mouse run sport.
    I am glad I got to see a guy like Jean Beliveau play the game in the time he did...when the players were men for the most part
  37. rick from river city from Canada writes: Leaf nation avoids reality - gangs up on opposition player alleged remarks after 5th loss in a row, ...
    move on folks, no story here...
  38. Greg Atkin from Canada writes: Who cares? The league's done in 5 years max anyway. Notice those dismal attendance figures.
  39. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: Ric Flair, you have some good comments on this thread. I am surprised that a Laffs fan could reason it out as you did. Almost perfect, except you give Tucker way too much credit for being...well...Tucker. He has ran his mouth ever since he entered the league, and I am sure is as guilty as others of saying something 'classless'.

    Avery did his job, and did it well, I think he was close to a Gordie Howe hat trick that game, and obviously got under the Laffs skin.

    I too though, doubt strongly this had anything to do with Blake and Cancer, etc.

    Just boys being boys...giving Laffs Nation something to talk about...
  40. King 99 from Ottawa, Canada writes: Hey everybody, look! - the Laffs are relevant again! LOL What a joke! If this so-called 'incident' had been perpetrated by Tucker or any other Laff player there would be no discussion happening right now, no review by the NHL (give me a break!) and Laffs fans would be cheering the player on. What complete and utter hypocrisy from you Laffs fans, the same fans who right after the dirty hit by Downie on McAmmond were all over these posts laughing and ridiculing McAmmond. I don't care what Avery said, it's part of the game and something that countless Laff 'heroes' have done for years (Domi, Tucker, etc.) Earth to Laff nation - get over it girls. No one cares that your players itsy-bitsy feelings were hurt. You have, however, made yourselves an even bigger laughingstock with this latest hissy-fit episode. LOSERS!
  41. Alberto Bayo from Canada writes: The NHL is investigating 'Harsh language'? Pathetic.
  42. Howard Citrin from Canada writes: I had no idea that hurting Tucker's feelings was punishable by the NHL.
  43. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Wow.... another fully moderated hockey thread.

    What caused it this time?

    Who is complaining? Try reading the majority of the politico posts. Two of mine were removed..... cause somebody complained? Sad. They just disagreed.
  44. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: George Hall from Canada writes: How about Tucker waving his stick in Averys' face...the NHL is such a mickey mouse run sport.
    I am glad I got to see a guy like Jean Beliveau play the game in the time he did...when the players were men for the most part

    ---------------

    George, I don't disagree with you about Beliveau.... but Avery's stick came up first...and most importantly... he pushed Blake. He started it.

    I would have been happy if we had lost.... if someone had have beat the crap out of the little pest.

    Loved Harry Neales line... If Avery could stick handle with his lips... nobody would ever get the puck off of him.
  45. Allan Martel from Canada writes: Be it Avery or some other event, this is just another in the daily Leafs-related stories explaining (between the lines) that their latest loss was unfair for some reason or other. Reminds me of pro wrestling - all the drama, fans enraged, mindlessness everywhere.

    (And yes Scot - I consider an OTL as an overtime loss, not a tie).

    Eventually the penny will drop and blame will be assigned where it lies - we all know where that is whether we admit it or not.

    This is not to excuse Avery's comments that place him, for me at any rate, right up there with Robbie Alomar's spitting on an umpire and then talking about his dead son. The point about Mason's constant references to Heatley is also well taken.

    Off to two more Slovenia games tonight looking for that replacement for Kabina. Lots of skill and speed here but they all fail the whine meter test.
  46. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: I always post on these threads.

    I am neither rude nor deflamatory.... why are my posts not being posted?
  47. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: So now the moderator 'allows' my posts.. out of sequence and ignoring/deleting the most important one.

    If this one gets through.. (highly unlikely) take a look at both Ottawa and Toronto threads on my comments about Avery.

    I would love him on the Leafs. Playing for someone else.. I hate him.
  48. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Love to discuss it with you Allen... but we somehow became a fully moderated conversation... don't have the patience for whom ever is 'moderating'.

    Will look for another active thread.
  49. old curmudgeon from Armenia writes: It's always seemed a bit ironic to me that a game which encourages grown men to run around with sticks hitting one another should take exception to verbal abuse. Psyching is part of the game, and one that participants at the professional level should be expected to to deal with. Migawd, there should be some voluntarily-assumed activities free from the pervasive influence of political correctness.
  50. Johnny K from Ottawa, Canada writes: Neil skates up...nails Avery with a good solid shoulder check...separates Avery's shoulder...that's how Ottawa takes care of loud mouths.
  51. N. Reader from Canada writes: if you tune him 'out' he goes away and becomes inneffective - engage him in a battle and he's already won....pretty simple if you ask me and Tucker fell for it, hockey players grow up hearing every possible form of verbal abuse from the time they learn to lace their skates - a real pro should be able to tune out the garbage as a plow used to throw them off - it's nothing more than that
  52. pierre lefebvre from Brossard, Canada writes: Macho Hockey. Fists and fights is Don Cherry`s value added hockey branding. Silly and degrading but OK with NHL. Only professional sport trying to match WWA attraction, but the ladder one often is faked. And Olympic style hockey is for feeble hearts! Yet most exciting display of hockey with high skill players the likes of Europeans, Frenchies, nonwhite and visor users. This your NHL on Hockey Night in Canada cultural show. Pity and racist with unreasonable accommodations!
  53. David Snider from Ottawa, Switzerland writes: It's not about Leafs or Leafs fans; it's not about Sens or Sens fans; it's not about Rangers or Rangers fans. It's not about whether hockey is turning into a goon sport or a WWF-style sport or a namby-pamby sport.

    It's about respect.

    I don't know what Avery said. I don't know why Tucker or Blake responded the way they did. I'll leave the judgements to Campbell.

    But! But are certain lines you don't cross. Target the man, if you wish; call him names, insult his genetic makeup, call his skills as a player into question. The players on the ice are part of the game; families are not. And if you do decide to hit below the belt - trash talking certain personal tragedies and the like - then you're the one crossing the line first.

    Keep the game about the game.

    And while I try to avoid posting comments aimed at specific individuals in these fora, I have to say something to Mitchell A. Were I the father of a child on your Bantam hockey team, I would do everything I could to have you removed as the coach. How old are these kids? 14, 15 years old? Old enough to cause damage but not old enough to understand the consequences. You, my unlearned friend, are nobody to be setting an example. You want to show kids how to play tough hockey? Then show them how to win while playing a fair game ... that's tough. You want to show them how to be aggressive on the forecheck? The show them how to do it without injuring themselves or their opponents.

    Do yourself a favour and read Rudyard Kipling's 'IF' ... then you'll be a man, my son.

    Go Sens.
  54. Cassandra from Ottawa from Canada writes: Tucker complaining that Avery is classless certainly looks like someone in a glass house furiously throwing stones. When Tucker dove into the Sens bench a few years ago, he and Pat Quinn claimed that Chris Neil had spit on him and he had reacted emotionally to that by jumping into the bench. This allegation was repeated (bellowed) by Don Cherry, who always excuses beahvior in Tucker that he would condemn in anyone else. At the subsequent hearing into the incident, Tucker admitted that no one had ever spit on him. This was reported at the time with little fanfare-certaily not as much as the original excuse/allegation received. And there was never an aplolgy to Neil from Tucker, or Quinn, who specialized in demonizing opposition players, or Cherry who never admits to being wrong and who serves as apologist for such as Tucker. This looks like another case of Tucker using a likely excuse to smear another player and excuse his own.behavior. Avery and Tucker are agitaters, their behavior is often over the line and I am not a fan of either,however there is not much to choose between the two. By the way, the two men are about the same size neither are very large, so claims that Avery only takes on a smaller player such as Tucker instead of an enforcer like Belak is silly. He did take on someone almost exactly his own size.
  55. Joe Lunchpail from Canada writes: If it was Tucker calling Neil names Leaf fans would have been loving it. Unreal.

    How about looking into Tucker swinging his stick at Avery at the same time?
  56. Joe Lunchpail from Canada writes: Is this going to be like a high-sticking penalty? If you make Darcie Tucker cry you get 4 minutes?
  57. Kevin Dooley from Canada writes: The incident was remarkably similar to the famous Zidane headbutt incident. In both cases a slimy turd said something outrageous in a blatant attempt to get under the skin of one of the most effective players on the other team (Blake, not Tucker, of course) and put him off his game. In both cases the result was even more effective than the turd had ever hoped.

    Honestly, though, everybody knows what Avery is all about so why take the bait? This is such an old tactic, and it's shameful that it continues to work. Why not turn around his comment and accuse him of pedophilia, or worse still, being a virgin, and then get the whole team pointing and laughing at him? Intimidation works in both directions. That's how you deal with Sean Avery. But the worst thing to do is to take the bait.

    Perhaps it's time to include these sorts of counter-drills in practice.
  58. Axl Foley from Calgary, Canada writes: Guys like Sean Avery are nothing but trash and Belak's job is to take out the trash. Which makes me wonder what Paul Maurice was thinking not having him in the lineup. A good skull ringing from someone like Belak every time this joke steps onto the ice is what's in order here. It's sad that classy guys like Shannahan have to tolerate this idiot on their team. The Rangers are a great organization and it's time somebody there gave Avery a bus ticket to Hartford for season-long 'conditioning'.
  59. J C from United States writes: Maybe the Leafs should focus on their game instead?
  60. Verona Raven from Connecticut, United States writes: I would love to see a Leafs fan come down to Long Island and elaborate with passion the virtues of Darcy Tucker as a 'hockey player'. If anyone in Canada would like to see a Leafs fan with a black eye...lol.
  61. CD W from coldwater, Canada writes: I remember a sudbury wolves game about 30 years ago. One guy was staring down the small guy and cutting over the centre of the ice. The ref was standing there eating it up. Then the fights started. I walked out. Perhaps Mr. Avery saw the same game.
  62. L. C. from Canada writes: If Avery did what all the leafs claimed he did, then he is low. But, you just have to agree with this is PRO sport. These people make money from play sport. They will do whatever it takes to make them win.

    It is more a personal value.. do you want to be a nasty player, but good intimidator?? Or Good player and Good Intimidator??

    Tucker just heard a wrong word at the wrong time with bad temper. He can take that in the scoreboard.. but he decided to use his fists.. What can we say.
  63. Alain LeBlanc from Canada writes: We don't need these primitive before the ice age types in hockey. Fine them and suspend them until they disappear.
  64. Ryan M from Ottawa, Canada writes: Cassandra, I agree with your post. Cherry is perpetually defending Tucker and his antics...his biased opinion is embarrassing, and it's unfortunate that he was selected as one of our top Canadians a few years back. How ridiculous is that, and how sadly representative is it of our society? Darcy was featured on MTV's cribs....I'm pretty sure I saw glass walls throughout the house.

    Kevin Dooley, I disagree with your statement that players should stoop as low as Avery to 'deal with him'. The best thing to do to shut down a guy like Sean Avery is not to reciprocate his childish banter...that only motivates him further, as has been proven again and again. This is when he plays most effectively. Not to mention that it damages the character of the league when grown men, who are supposedly professionals, take to calling eachother pedophiles and virgins just because someone else was doing it first. That's a tactic used among 8 year olds on the schoolyard...it shouldn't be happening among professional athletes.
  65. Rick Flair from shwa', Canada writes: L.C: I'm not sure what you are getting at...The Leafs are arguably not the team they were only a few years ago. If they were, there would be no talk about anything. The league would be looking at video from a pre-game brawl to pick out who would be suspended. The fact that Tucker and Avery went at it in the First period was sooooo anti-climactic. This should point to the obvious that what was said wasn't to the extreme as speculated. However, Avery has shown once again that he is without class perhaps. The comparison of Tucker to Avery is somewhat confused on these threads as well. Tucker does shoot-off his mouth, seemingly incessantly, but not classless. He gets under players' skin, makes them take dumb penalties and chase him around like a bunch of linebackers. Tucker has made some questionable decisions in his career...in the heat of a hockey game. So to speak of Tucker being this and that, as compared to Avery is nonsense. Whatever Avery said was pre-meditated to get the reaction that he got, at the very least. Tucker may have fought someone, Eaves, who didn't deserve it. Tucker, debateable, may have committed a dirty hit on Peca. However, Tucker has never made a racial slur in the NHL, never made reference to anyone's culture as part of a stereotype, etc. So, if you're not a Tucker fan, than good. That also means you're not a Leafs fan. Just as Sens fans love Neil, Nashville fans love Tootoo, etc., etc. Leaf fans love Tucker for what he does...he gets players pi$$ed. His other skills remain to be seen this season, but I remain optimistic that now that his health is back, we will see him pot some PP goals and fly around the ice setting the tone for great hockey.
  66. JM Work from Quebec, Canada writes: Did Tucker's feelings get hurt? Im surprised to see this even make the news (not just make the news, but the front of the sports section).

    This is embarassing for the LEafs.
  67. R D from Canada writes: Wake up Campbell, Bettman and the rest of the NHL league office!

    Does anyone think this string of 'non- incidents' is coincidental? Avery made these comments and all of the others that he has been accused of and is then allowed to weasel his way out.

    He has no place in the league.
  68. Kevin Desmoulin from TO, Canada writes: All I got to Say is Thank God I am a Montreal Fan
    GO HABS GO
  69. seeymore butts from Canada writes: Avery skates like he should be in the minors. No class, that's all he will be remembered for. Big mouth, small cojones.
  70. Mike H from Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada writes: I'm a little confused by this comment thread because according to the article

    'The FAN 590 in Toronto reported that an unnamed Rangers player said Avery ignited a scuffle with Leafs forward Darcy Tucker because of insensitive remarks.'

    I watched the game and they interviewed Tucker between periods. He basically said Avery was being Avery and that he was classless. I never heard him whining or inferring that the league should investigate Avery. Nothing in the article seems to imply that he is involved. He hasn't even been interviewed by the league according to the article.

    How then did this thread become a comparison between Tucker and Avery? I'm really confused. Can someone help me out here please. Thanks.
  71. Dijer Dije from Ontario, Canada writes: I don't think much of Tucker. He is cheap, whines to no end, is often a hypocrite and his going after Neil while Neil was on the bench (and backing down from him every time before and since) will lock in my mind that Tucker is a knob.

    But c'mon... he isn't in the same league as Avery when it comes to being a bonehead. Tucker has most of his shenanigans take place during the game at least. Avery, on the other hand, has his mouth running all the time.

    they are all adults and looking into what happened is fine. If it is something that Avery said, unless it was based on hate, it really is a non-issue.

    Get thicker skin Tucker.
  72. Joe Lunchpail from Canada writes: Sorry- trashtalking is part of sports- at all levels. Anything goes. Maybe the Leafs should stop being such a country club and complaining when someone makes Darcie cry.
  73. Wally Grisold from Toronto, Canada writes: I can hardly wait for December 6 in New Yawk. Please oh please don't any of these main-eventers get hurt or suspended before that day.
  74. Joe Lunchpail from Canada writes: seeymore butts from Canada writes: Avery skates like he should be in the minors. No class, that's all he will be remembered for. Big mouth, small cojones.

    Funny how every Leaf fan is saying Avery has no class just because Darcie said it.

    BTW Semour- Avery will also be remembered for single-handedly destroying the Leafs in that game with a goal, assist, and making Darcie look foolish.

    If this situation were the other way around, Leaf fans would be buying new Darcie jerseys in droves.

    Too funny.
  75. Alberto Bayo from Canada writes: Only because it's the Leafs, and because it took place on HNIC, is this an issue. 'Harsh language'. Get over it.
  76. Phillip Patriotic from Canada writes: Let's be honest: if this didn't involve the Leafs most of the posters here would actually be on the side of Tucker because let's face it, if someone threw a personal tragedy in your teammate's face, you'd probably react the same way.

    Avery is a (undiagnosed) sociopath.

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