On Sean Avery…

Look, I like Sean Avery. As crazy as it sounds, I am a Dallas Stars fan who likes him. I think that Sean is so different from most hockey players that people don’t know how to handle him. The Stars certainly didn’t.

So many Stars fans are quick to jump the gun and blame Avery when asked why we sucked in the 08-09 and 09-10 seasons. Well…it’s not quite like that.

Yes, signing Avery was a mistake. He just didn’t fit in personality-wise and hockey-wise in Dallas. I was all too happy to cut ties with him after the ‘sloppy seconds’ incident. Not because I disliked him, but because I didn’t like him on the team. That signing was doomed from the start (partially because Brett Hull was a fool who let his prior friendship with Avety get in the way of his duties as GM).

The thing is, one player does not make a team. It’s unfair to lay all of the blame on Sean Avery as to why our team was so mediocre the past two seasons. Things did NOT get better after he left. Honestly, the Stars were just a mediocre team

After making a miracle playoff run to the West finals, Mattias Norstrom and Stu Barnes had retired in the off-season. Antti Miettinen and Niklas Hagman were lost through free agency. These losses hurt more than people realize.

Another issue was the fact that Marty Turco kind of lost his mojo, and we didn’t have a proper backup. Goaltending is HUGE, especially in the Big Bad West. Marty failed to win games we needed him to win for us.

The great Sergei Zubov barely played that season, too. You don’t really appreciate guys like Zubie until they’re gone. He had season-ending hip surgery and left for the KHL the following summer.

Last season brought about a new GM and a new coach. I believe that the adjustment to a new system was the cause for our mediocrity last season. It’s tough to adjust, especially when pure offense has never really been the norm in Dallas.

Now that we’re good again, does the Avery mess even matter anymore? Those two seasons of mediocrity were a necessary evil of growing pains. But they aren’t Sean Avery’s fault. He might have made our lives a little tougher, but it’s not 100 percent his fault.

Tomorrow night, Avery plays in Dallas for the first time since November 20, 2008. Boo him if it’ll make you feel better. Whatever. But after tomorrow, it’s time to move on.

Don’t live in the past. Live in the now, because things are so, so wonderful for the Stars.

Sean Avery’s Sunglasses

Today I started a side blog called, Sean Avery’s Sunglasses, where I talk about non-Stars hockey and pop culture.  Now, don’t be angry because I’m honoring Sean Avery.  But if you are, I don’t judge.

Check it out.

Shut Up, Crosby, No One Likes You

I’m sorry, I had to say that.  When someone proves a point, I say “Shut up.   No one likes you.”

Anyway, there’s mot much to say.  What else can I say other than, This team is done?  They’re finished.  The Stars are not making the playoffs and that is the sad reality.

And I hate Crosby even more than before if that’s even possible.

More later.  Because right now, I have nothing to say.

Guys, it could be much worse.  We could still have this-

I laughed at this and it sickened me.  Avery, why oh why do you do this to me?  I’m determined to hate you, but I just can’t completely hate you.  At least you’re doing this with another team…

It’s Been One Year Since “You-Know-Who” Said “You-Know-What”

Stars fans, this is a huge anniversary.  Today is the on-year anniversary of Sean Avery’s infamous “sloppy seconds” comment.  

Let’s all let out a collective, “HALLELUJAH HE’S GONE!”

Yeah, that felt good didn’t it?

So, I’m not going to bore you with some impertinent ranting since we all agree that Avery’s a douche.  I mean, you didn’t really want him around, did you?  I honestly tried to make myself feel good about the signing when it happened, but I just couldn’t get a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

Today, feel free to take part in random clapping or fun dancing.  Just have fun!  It’s a joyful anniversary today.  Make the most of it.

Now let’s forget about Mr. Avery.  It’s all said and done, and he’s only a tiny scar in Stars history now.

And as always, Go Stars!

I’d Rather Not Remember What Happened A Year Ago Today…

Well it’s the one-year anniversary of when our (former) co-GM’s, Brett “Ambassador of Fun” Hull and Les Jackson signed mega-loser, Sean Avery.  Nobody really wants to remember that he ever was a Star, so I kind of just want to forget about it.

Problem is, it’s hard to forget a sloppy-seconds comment like the one Avery said.  No one’s ever gonna forget that, as hard as we try.

The thing is, is that it never should have happened in the first place.  I know Hull was friendly with Avery, but he never should have signed a guy who doesn’t fit the definition of a Dallas Star.  This is a classy organization, and Avery is a classless player.  It doesn’t fit.  This franchise may be permanently scarred because of one stupid move.  It’s too bad it had to end up costing us the season.

So, look at it in a positive way: Sean Avery can always be a reminder that we all make mistakes.  Right? 🙂

You-Know-Who