NHL abridging free speech?

[RogueAlan]

Ayers... Dallas (if I'm not mistaken) 'Enforcer' was suspended for 6 games for telling the press he didn't know why other NHL players insisted on his 'sloppy seconds' referring to Elisha Cuthbert...

Now, as sloppy seconds go, who wouldn't... but why does the NHL think they can penalize a player for non hockey behavior off of the ice... especially a player who's job is to stick it to others... what else do they expect?

Actually, in some ways, considering how much they pay him, i can almost understand it, and in light of, oh, Ricky Williams, TO, Manny Ramirez, & good ol' Plaxico, it's almost admirable, but last I checked even hockey is mostly an American professional sport, & seems to me the Constitution trumps the 'rules' of hockey.

The only penalty he should get is that no woman in her right mind will ever go out with him... lots of anger brewing in those words. But we know that won't happen either, right OJ?

pax

RA

 

[Friday on my mind]

People really misunderstand what "freedom of speech" means and what is protected.
The freedom is from the govt trying to to curtail speech.It does not mean an employer cannot put sanctions on an employee who says things the employer finds objectional.I guarantee there are clauses in his contract that say he can be disciplined or even fired for saying or doing anything that is deemed determental to the organization on or off the ice.And even without contracts employees do not have freedom of speech.There are lots of things you could say at work that an employer could fire you over that the govt would have no right to say anything about.Try wearing a shirt to work that says "I like the KKK" or "I support Osama Bin laden" and see how much freedom you have lol.

 

[Dawn]

First off, this event have been discussed in the NHL 2008-2009 Thread (page 34-35) by people with a good knowledge of hockey culture.

Talking about hockey culture: the NHL is not American. Nor Canadian. When it comes to laws and constitutions, the NHL have to abide by both, not only americans. The American constitution is not the only one to take into consideration. And making this event an American-only thing is not taking into account the reality of the NHL.

What about freedom of speech in the NFL? As far as i'm concerned, the NFL is also limiting the freedom of speech of his employees more than any other sports. And it's an all-American game which abide only by the American Constitution.


Back on Avery's case. Allow me to quote myself (from the NHL 2008-2009 Thread):

The NHL might be a tad old school when it comes to event like this. The unwritten code of conduct enforced by the NHL authorities is extremly conservative when it comes to behavior outside the ice. They want their players acting like gentlemen outside the ice and unleash the beast within when they are on the ice.

Maybe that's also why the veterans of the Dallas Stars are embarrassed with Avery conduct: it detracts from the unwritten but enforced behavior in place in the NHL since forever.

Avery have constantly gone beyond boundaries of the NHL habits.

Moreover, Avery isn't at his first offense. He have been suspended for racial comments on black players in the past, as well as other verbal abuse on and off the ice.

Sean Avery admited himself having gone too far. Hell, he even pushed his luck towards the Dallas Stars organisation regarding the fact that he needed profesionnal help. He doesnt seems at all like a poor citizen to who the evil NHL denied his free speech.

The player assoctiation were watching closely how the NHL authorities would deal with Avery's case. Afterall, they are there to defend the members of the association. And even the association considers the sentence fair and square. Even the association don't want that kind of behavior from its members.

So if there is people who seriously thinks there is a problem in the way things have been handled by the NHL authorities, i'd think it's more related with a lack of NHL culture knowledge than anything else.

:2 cents:

 

[Mauser98k]

i suppose if the camera crews had approached Sean and asked, "What do you think of Dion Phaneuf dating Elisha Cuthbert?" you could make an argument that they infringed on his right to free speach. However they didn't ask him that and, in fact, he walked up to the cameras and started talking shit. He got what he deserved for not knowing how to keep his mouth shut.

 

[ChefChiTown]

It's very simple...

Avery is a professional athlete in the NHL. Whether he likes it or not, as a professional athlete, he has a responsibility to act in a professional, mature and respectful manner at all times. He failed to do this, which brought unwarranted negativity to the face of the NHL.

He deserves to be suspended.

 

[senob44]

I think this suspension is warranted. As others mentioned, as an employee he has a contractual obligation to not bring unnecessary negativity to the image of the team and the NHL.

I think what's more interesting is that Sean Avery is really a study in character. Here is a guy who is actually a very skilled hockey player in the purest sense, but ends up in the role of an agitator and enforcer not so much because he's not a good skater or is big and bulky or that he isn't talented at the finer aspects of the game, but just because he really likes being a jerk. Maybe that's why he's so good at it! Gotta have passion no matter what your game is.

 

[titsrock]

Yes the NHL/Dallas Stars overreacted to this situation. His comments were vulgar, but they were said within the limits of trash-talking. The Dallas Stars owner, as I said in the NHL thread, should've demanded a fine/charity donation in Avery's name, but nothing more.

In America, the culture of trash-talking has overtaken the culture of sport in ALL PROFESSIONAL SPORTS. I see the culture of trash-talking filtering down to college football and basketball too much. That is a separate issue.

But, given this culture/acceptance of trash-talking...Avery did nothing wrong. I believe Elisha Cuthbert has a potential defamation case on her hand and might want to get a lawyer involved just to pester Avery a bit and make his off-ice life somewhat annoyed.

The NHL has several problems which must be addressed if it hopes to remain a viable Top 4 sport in America.

 

[Will E Worm]

Ayers... Dallas (if I'm not mistaken) 'Enforcer' was suspended for 6 games for telling the press he didn't know why other NHL players insisted on his 'sloppy seconds' referring to Elisha Cuthbert...

So, someone else is dating her now?

Sloppy seconds...:throwup:

He has the right to say as he wishes. He was not on the job and he should sue.

Freedom of speech means you have the right to say whatever you want. Whether someone else likes it or not.

Just as long as you're not trying to take away someone else's rights.

 

[lost1dc]

Ayers... Dallas (if I'm not mistaken) 'Enforcer'

Enforcer. :rofl:

More like an agitating pest that needs to get his attitude adjusted by a real enforcer.

Avery has done stuff like this in the past. That's why he's been through so many teams in such a short time in his short career.