Sean Avery doing what he does best
Jet-setting around the world. Cameo appearances in movies and television shows. Featured as one of the “Sexiest Men Alive”. Dating stars Elisha Cuthbert and Rachel Hunter. Summering at Vogue. While this may sound like the resume of one of the stars of The Hills, it is in fact that of the NHL’s always loveable Sean Avery. What, however, was left off that list is the fact that he is the most hated hockey player in the NHL. After the recent game with Calgary facing Dion Phanuef, who Avery criticized last year, came and went, with little fanfare, we can only rehash last year’s Avery blow-up to fill headlines. With that being said, here is my attempt to do just that.
Going back to last year and into the start of this season, many involved in the sport were glad to see Sean Avery essentially muzzled, with Gary Bettman leading the charge. The mentality is if a player doesn’t fit the NHL’s mould, he is considered an outcast. This, unfortunately, is at the crux of the problem with the NHL. Over the years, rather than developing and marketing its talent, the league has made changes to the game ranging from the “skate in the crease” rule to adding the shootout. Compared to the other major sports leagues, NFL, NBA and the MLB, there is no other league that has changed their rules at the pace of the NHL. As evidenced by the NHL’s declining market share and interest in the United States, this strategy of altering the game has obviously not worked.
Posted by mbian 
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