December 5, 2008
In Play! Magazine took part in teleconference today with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman concerning the six game suspension of Sean Avery for his comments in Calgary this past week.
When asked about how he determined the length of the suspension Bettman says, "It was the appropriate response."
Does Avery face more punishment from his team? Bettman says, "It's up to the Dallas Stars whether or not they suspend him further"
Bettman says the NHL does not tolerate this type of behavior and was concerned that parents of small children would have to explain to them what sloppy seconds means and this is not how the NHL wants to portray itself.
According to Bettman Avery has been warned several times by the NHL within the last year including Colin Campbell and Bettman himself!
While listening to Bettman it seems Avery is skating on thin ice with the NHL brass and the next incident could prove more costly than just six games, Bettman says "Players in this league are held accountable on and off the ice."
An ESPN reporter asked if this had been Avery's first offence would he still have received the six game sit down to which Bettman replied "He (Avery) was warned by the NHL twice already."
So where does this leave Avery now that he's in the limelight?
Bettman says "Avery will be held to a higher standard as a repeat offender."
Bettman says he found out about the Avery comments almost instantly. He has two monitors on his desk that are on constantly and that bad news travels fast.The Commissioner goes on to say, "Somebody in the office told me to punch this up (link) on my screen and that I wasn't going to like it."
Avery just signed a four year $15.5 million contract with the Stars this past summer so his current suspension (not including endorsement deals) breaks down to around $21,000 per game or $126,000 for his comment.
I wonder if it was worth it?
