That's a much better picture, thank you!

FYI, I heard part of Rosy's interview today and I think he mentioned something about Pierre Woods being hurt as well.

And funny how NFL stated the hit on Welker was not illegal, yet they were happy the ref called a penalty? What on earth does that mean?

I'm quite sure Dion Phaneuf is hoping Avery is in the lineup the next time the Flames play Dallas. He's one of the legit toughest dudes in the NHL and hits (legally) like a ton of bricks. If there's any fallout from Avery's comments I'm sure it'll be handled out on the ice.

Teddy, do you really think it's OK for anybody to say things like that on live camera in front of a national audience? If Manny Ramirez had said something like that, and the league and team didn't suspend him, would that be OK with you?

I thought you'd enjoy that pic of our President elect, along with those "wonderful" women of The View....LOL

The NFL embarrasses itself wiith the way it doles out punishment. Hits that aren't called penalties in a game draw fines, while plays that are penalized by the refs are deemed legal. Makes the refs look pretty incompetent, huh?

As for Mr. Avery, DB's suggestion is how the NHL should have allowed this to play out. Avery has a right to say anything he wants to the media as long as it isn't criminal. It's called the first amendment. In the grand scheme of things, it's harmless. EVERY sport features worse trash talk on the ice, on the field, or in the arena. It's just that we don't hear it, but I guarantee you worse is said about girlfriends, wives and mothers. Remember World Cup soccer when the Italian defenseman got Zinedine to lose his head?

So yes, Manny could have said that and I would have been OK with it. Just like I'm OK with Avery saying it. And just like I'd be OK if some player beats his brains in for it, within the legal confines of the game.

The league isn't sending this guy to prison for his comments. The civil and criminal authorities aren't being called in to discipline him. The league isn't even violating his rights to "free speech". He's free to go elsewhere and find a job. But according to the contract he signed, in exchange for money and privileges, he agreed to abide by the team's and league's rules and policies. He broke his contract. So the league is exercising its right to suspend him. The NHL players don't have to punish him for that. They probably don't care what he says, as long as he doesn't play for, or score against, their team. The guys who ignore him get to play hockey and laugh all the way to the bank. Meanwhile, he'll probably never get another date without having to pay rent.

Doesn't the NHL have bigger problems to address than what Sean Avery said in a locker room? You know, perhaps they might want to address the fact they've been so relegated to the fringe that even NASCAR is kicking its a** in terms of national recognition and interest? I'm also still waiting for the first tank armor wearing goalie to be suspended for illegal equipment. That's a rule and policy players have to follow, too, but I guess Mr. Bettman is too busy chasing the Avery's of the world to notice the equipment violation that has rendered hockey as boring and scoreless as soccer.

Oh, and speaking of soccer, even that snoozefest has a more respectable cable deal than the NHL.

Lusi, just stop it. He should not have been suspended. He said nothing vulgar or disrespectful. He simply pointed out a fact. His ex is sleeping round the NHL. And what does Manny have to do with it?? Nobody would care if manny said something like that. In fact, i think it would be welcomed compared to what he's done and said in the past. So keep quiet lusi.

Second, i knew the Pat's dynasty was over the minute they lost the superbowl. The defense is aging, Bellicheck has slowly deteriorated, as we can tell from his many foolish decisions.

The hit on Welker was a clean, hard hit. Cmon ladies this is football, not field hockey. And in football you have to be tough. I can't stress that enough. Toughness! That's what it's all about and that's what the Pats and Ted Panos both lack.

Dracut high.... can't wait to see them lose in the super bowl. The only town around here more pathetic than dracut is billerica, and not by much.

T2 and Ted Panos, let's please keep politics out of Sports talk, ok fellas? I know how much moronic conservatives like yourselves hate Obama, but keep it to yourselves. T2, maybe you should just stop posting alltogether, as your comments are usually foolish and waaaaay off. Ted Panos, you are a disgrace to your people(greeks and media).

And what happened to your old picture with your stupid hat and your FAKE media credentials? huh? I'll admit that the new pic is better but you can't hide your foolishness when you write articles like this one.

In conclusion, why don't you lay off Obama and pull your big ugly nose out of matt grimmard and the rest of dracut high's collective rear end.

Happy Hollidays,
Sam P Sneed

Actually I recently read an article (I think it was in Sporting News but not 100% sure) that says that the NHL is actually gaining in popularity at a level not seen since the NHL lockout and that if they kept this pace up they would pass the NBA fairly soon. Attendance is apparently up quite a bit- especially in a bad economy.

I find the Vs coverage to be excellent (as is the NHL Network). Too bad it's not more of a mainstream channel. I think they'll get a ton of interest in the Winter Classic being played in Wrigley Field between the Blackhawks and Red Wings...

Thanks, Sam, for proving my point far more effectively than I ever could.