The Sean Avery incident is now officially closed: Yeah, right

The Dallas Stars' Sean Avery received a six-game suspension and agreed to seek an anger management evaluation following the crude comments he made about ex-girlfriends who are now involved with other hockey players. That would be Calgary's Dion Phaneuf and actress Elisha Cuthbert, and the Kings Jarret Stoll and actress Rachel Hunter.

Well, that's settled. Nothing more to see here folks, so please move along.

At least, that's the word from NHL cop-on-the-street Gary Bettman. The NHL commissioner who had this to say when asked during a news conference today whether Avery will face retribution when he returns to the ice to face the Flames and Kings.

"Everybody who has any issues or concerns regarding that incident, they know it was dealt with and discipline has been imposed with what was done," Bettman said.

Yeah, that should do it.

Of course, Bettman may be thinking of a different NHL, one stocked with sugar plum fairies and dancing elves instead of Todd Bertuzzi and Donald Brashear.

This NHL has an elephant-never-forgets code of payback.

The Stars face the Kings on Jan. 17 and the Flames on Feb. 3 -- but don't be surprised if nothing happens during the games. Players sometimes cool their skates for years before evening a score. They will wait for the right moment, when a game-misconduct penalty will not affect the outcome.

It remains to be seen how long Avery will remain a target for NHL retribution. And there are subtle, and not so subtle, messages that Avery may be running out of chances.

Avery's publicist released an apology after the Stars reportedly declined to do so. "They operated independently on that effort," according to the team. "We were not involved."

NHL teams generally handle the apologies, as the Kings did when Avery alienated French-Canadians in 2005.

Bettman said he has made it clear to Avery that, "he doesn't want to be dealing with me again."

Stay tuned.

-- Chris Foster

Photo: Sean Avery leaves a meeting with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on Thursday. Credit: Frank Franklin / Associated Press

Comments

[Billy]

Bettman should be kissing Avery's toes. Given how the Commissioner has ruined the league, this is the publicity the NHL has to settle for. Instead of the great goals, saves and hits, we have to hear about trash talk. Slamming someone's head into the boards gets a 2 game suspension but talking about someone's ex gets 6 games? The sooner Bettman returns to the NBA, the better off the NHL will be.

[Harry Shaffer]

The NHL front office needs to grow up. I wonder what the punishment is for spitting on the sidewalk?

[jules]

The idea that any publicity is good publicity is a farce. Sure, people are talking about the NHL, but they're laughing at it and disregarding it because of the obvious and embarrassing stupidity of one player. These people aren't going to become fans and watch hockey because of Avery - he's the type of guy who ruins the game for fans. The brand of publicity that Avery provides is just what the league DOESN'T need. In fact, he should be thanking Bettman for protecting him for these six games, after all that he's done and all the warnings he has disregarded.

[LittleStevie]

I can't believe this! Avery was providing the drama that the NHL so desparately needs! Imagine the rivalry with Avery and Phaneuf on the ice and Elisha Cuthbert looking on in the stands... this is the Love Guru in real life!

I would actually start watching hockey again!!!

[Russ]

I am sick of hockey and the inflated egos that go with it. These so call grown men act more like prima donna's minus the tutu's. Perhaps if the game of hockey went back to being a gentlemen's game, the game wouldn't be so intolerable to sit through. Until then, I for one will not support the baby tantrums and whining that is all the present in the game today.