I could have posted this in the LA Kings thread, but it's so funny, it deserves its own special place.

Combative LA Kings, Sean Avery, whose loud--highly public--arguments have included a few with TV commentators, has a new job. He's going to be a TV commentator for Sportsnet during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Considering his penchant for speaking first and only then thinking, our friends in Canada (where Sportsnet broadcasts) may be in for broadcasts that are (how shall I put this.....) interesting, to say the least.

~Adam

No shit! Just last night Pierre Maguire on OLN was going off on him big time. Said he was part of LA's problem this past year. That is really interesting!

After listening to Don Cherry's commentaries way too many times,I doubt this could be much worse.

Since Sportsnet carries a lot of NHL games, I'll be sure to give you my feedback on Sean Avery. I just hope they have him on a time-delay, like CBC had to implement with Don Cherry awhile back! And speaking of CBC, it's just as well Avery didn't sign with them as he might try to beat up Kelly Hrudey over recent criticism (justified, IMO) Hrudey made of Avery's behaviour this season, including the push-ups on the ice after scoring a goal against the Predators. Personally I'd much rather see and hear Luc do commentary (now that he'll be looking for a job) than Avery! Incidentally, Sean is going out with Calgary native Elisha Cuthbert, who plays Kim Bauer on '24' (I know Hockeytom and I are fans of that show, not sure about anyone else here; although Kim seems to be one of the least popular characters on the '24' thread). Does Avery get extra penalty minutes for dating her? BTW Adam, I was pleasantly surprised to see you're supporting the right team in the Ducks-Flames series. wink

Don't think there is time to give Avery sensitivity training (or lend him a brain) before he takes this job. Weird move by sporstnet.

I heard she was also from Montreal's south shore. I'll let Calgary claim her!

"-Elisha Ann Cuthbert was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on November 30, 1982.
-she relocated to Vancouver with her parents
-Eventually, the Cuthbert family moved to the East Coast and settled in the Montreal suburb of Greenfield Park, in the province of Quebec."

The NHL's Communications Officer spoke with Rogers Sportsnet and based on the conversation, Sportsnet decided not to hire Sean Avery

The Los Angeles Times offers this regarding the Sportsnet decision to release Avery, even before he began:

A spokesman for Sportsnet said, "After serious concerns were expressed directly and indirectly to Sportsnet senior management, it was decided that in the best interest of the network and Mr. Avery that he not be allowed to participate on air."

Avery did not respond to a request for comment. Gary Bettman denied that the NHL had pressured Sportsnet to drop Avery.

The final sentence--Bettman's denial of putting pressure on Sportsnet--is my favorite part of this. If Bettman were that competent, there wouldn't have been a work stoppage!

~Adam

Former King Sean Avery lost his broadcasting job but former Kings' coach Andy Murray got a broadcasting job. The CBC hired him to be an analyst for the Stanly Cup playoffs and he'll work the Ducks/Flames series in the first round.

An amusing Andy Murray story comes from the LA Times:

"This spring has not been kind to a couple of people named Andy Murray.

Example 1: Older Andy Murray, of Los Angeles, lost his coaching job on March 21 when the Kings dismissed him.

Example 2: Younger Andy Murray, of Scotland, lost his cool earlier this month in the midst of and after his Davis Cup doubles tennis match against Serbia, dropping an expletive at the chair umpire and receiving a four-figure fine.

Hockey's Andy Murray seems to have fared worse than tennis Andy Murray, for he's still without a coaching job.

Tennis' Andy Murray responded last week by firing his coach."

~Adam