Now they're talking

Hanley Ramirez was once a top prospect in the Red Sox organization, but since a trade sent him and others to Florida in exchange for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell, the young shortstop has established himself as one of the best all-around players baseball

And now, it seems Boston wants him back.

Si.com is reporting that after losing out on the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes, the Red Sox tried to trade for Ramirez and bring him back to the organization. The report goes on to state that the Marlins were most interested in a center fielder, and that trade talks revolved around Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, pitcher Clay Buchholz, and others, but those talks have been aborted after no agreement could be reached.

The report from Jon Heyman and Tom Verducci also said that the Red Sox could have possibly been thinking of putting Ramirez in center field if they did in fact re-acquire him.

If this report is true, which I don't see why it wouldn't be, then I'd have a hard time believing these talks won't continue in the future or rise to the surface once again at some point. At first glance it may seem foolish for the Marlins to give away a player like Ramirez, especially since they gave up Josh Beckett to get him. But if the Marlins were to get a plethora of young players in return, then it could end up helping the organization in the long run.

Ramirez, 25, signed a six-year, $70 million extension this past May, but the bulk of the contract doesn't kick in until the last three years of the deal. He will make only $5.5 million in 2009, $7 million in 2010, $11 million in 2011, $15 million in 2012, $15.5 million in 2013, and $16 million in 2014.

The Red Sox would undoubtedly have to give up a lot to get their hands on Ramirez, and whether or not they were to move him from shortstop to center field would depend on whether or not Ellsbury was involved in the deal. It would be a tempting move to package Ellsbury with a few of the team's top pitching prospects, and have to move Ramirez to the outfield, in order to put another bat in the lineup.

Ramirez' power production has increased in the three seasons he's been in the league. From 17 home runs in his first season, to 29 in his second, and 33 last year, the Red Sox wouldn't have to worry much about the heart of their order for years to come. And in reality, there may be ways to keep Ramirez at shortstop, and put someone else in center, whether it be signing a free agent, or making another trade involving Jed Lowrie and/or Julio Lugo.

The bottom line is, if the Red Sox were willing to sign Teixeira when they already had their corner infield positions set, then they shouldn't back out of a deal for Ramirez just because they'd have a fielding conflict. If they are willing to part with the young players, then a deal should be made. Then would come time to look at who's out there on the free agent market in center field.

Rocco Baldelli, Jim Edmonds, Scott Podsednik, So Taguchi, just to name a few potential possibilities. Maybe the Red Sox should have waited on trading Coco Crisp, then there would be no conflict at all if Ellsbury had to go.

At that point, it would probably come down to whether or not the Marlins would pull the trigger. If they couldn't be convinced, and the Red Sox showed the willingness to trade many top prospects for a young shortstop, then why not keep looking?

Why not follow my original idea of calling Omar Minaya and the New York Mets, to check the availability of Jose Reyes?

It changes a little bit now that Crisp isn't around to take the place of Ellsbury full-time, but that's the same problem the Red Sox would have if they sent him to Florida for Ramirez. The Mets made it clear that pitching was their top priority this offseason in signing Francisco Rodriguez, and if they could add guys like Buchholz and Michael Bowden to their starting rotation next season, both would be impact pitchers. Ellsbury could play right field and lead off, and with Manny Ramirez still available, maybe the market could call for Minaya to be able to sign Manny to a two-year, $50 million deal and have him play left field.

It wouldn't be a bad lineup for the Mets. It also wouldn't be a bad lineup for the Red Sox, either.

They're getting closer

The NHL is bringing back the Winter Classic on New Year's Day, and the commercial NBC is using to promote this year's game between the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field is exactly what the game needs

And they need more commercials like this:



Whether or not this was the NHL's idea (probably not) or NBC's, it is an incredible promotional piece. And I can't remember when the last time I said that about anything in the NHL.

I'll be back Monday with an update on my new sports talk show that begins in January. Stay tuned.

A little premature

Not to try and make Red Sox fans feel better about losing out on Mark Teixeira, but Boston is already rumored to have its sights set on Twins catcher Joe Mauer in 2011

Keep in mind, it's almost 2009, which is a whole two years from when Joe Mauer can become a free agent. But that hasn't stopped the St. Paul Pioneer Press from reporting that the Red Sox are already "salivating" over Mauer, who can become a free agent after the 2010 season.

Mauer, who turns 26 in April, signed a four-year, $33 million deal with a limited no-trade clause before the 2007 season. After making only $6.25 million last season, Mauer will make $10.5 million in 2009 and $12.5 million in 2010.

I'll be the first to admit that it is a little crazy to be talking about this already, but it makes you think about what exactly the Red Sox plan to offer Jason Varitek this offseason. It would seem ideal to sign Varitek to a two-year deal, and then go hard after Mauer before the 2011 season.

The first thing I did when I read this report, however, was Google "Jorge Posada - Rotoworld." Rotoworld is my No. 1 source for checking out player contracts, and it just so happens that Posada will a free agent after the 2011 season. By that last season in New York, Posada will turn 40 years old, seemingly making him too old to catch, hence, making for yet another bidding war for Mauer.

Maybe by then the Red Sox will let the Yankees do all their dirty work, and swoop in last minute and blow Mauer away with a big contract.

After all, Mauer is a whole lot easier to spell than Teixeira.

Teixeira picks New York

After all that, Mark Teixeira decided he wanted to sign with the New York Yankees, leaving Red Sox fans scratching their heads

Boston's offer was said to be eight years, $168 million. Teixeira decided to take New York's eight-year, $180 million deal which includes a $5 million signing bonus and a complete no-trade provision.

Mostly everybody following the Teixeira talks believed the Yankees were not going to be involved, but at the end of the day, all it took was the highest offer. Don't bother trying to convince me that Teixeira "just wanted to play for the Yankees." I'm not buying it.

The Red Sox (John Henry) tried to play hardball with agent Scott Boras, and they got outbid. Teixeira and Boras chose the highest bidder, not the team that he "dreamed" of playing for.

So what now? Did the Red Sox see this coming? Will there be bad blood with Mike Lowell?

The Red Sox probably could have finalized a deal when they flew to Texas last week, but I'll assume that they wouldn't agree to give Teixeira a no-trade clause. They don't give anyone that provision. And it wasn't going to change for Teixeira.

At the end of the day, Teixeira was going to be overpaid, no matter who he signed with. But if a team wants to give him that much money (even the Red Sox), then be my guest. It's not coming out of my bank account. But this signing shouldn't cause Red Sox fans to panic.

Teixeira would have been an upgrade to Lowell, but just because it didn't happen doesn't mean it can't contend. After all, if Josh Beckett was his usual postseason self in the ALCS this past October, then we could be sitting here talking about the defending back-to-back champion Red Sox.

The offense is exactly the same, minus Coco Crisp (Jason Varitek will be back, mark my words). And don't forget, it was just last offseason that everyone in Boston was begging for their beloved Red Sox to take back Lowell instead of trying to steal A-Rod from New York after he opted out of his contract.

But now it seems that Lowell, who was the first to go if Teixeira was signed, was pushed to the side by Red Sox management. How will he react to this, now that he's staying?

Only time will tell. Something tells me he's a good guy at heart, and will let it pass over. But I wouldn't blame him if he's not too happy with the team right now.

There's a good possibility that the Red Sox didn't sign off on a deal only because they couldn't find a suitor for Lowell. Don't give me the, "they could have traded for Teixeira and worked Lowell in." Sorry. Not going to happen.

If Teixeira signed, Lowell had to go. This isn't Crisp we're talking about here. You weren't going to make that one work out. It would have been too much of a risk, especially since the only downside to not signing Teixeira, for the Red Sox, is that they have the same team as last year, and that isn't necessarily a downside, which I've stated before.

So don't whine. Don't complain. Don't cry over the fact that the Yankees are spending like crazy this offseason. The Red Sox had a chance, but it never got done. A World Series championship won't be decided on the bat of Teixeira. It will be decided on the arm of Beckett.

And if he's healthy again, Boston has nothing to worry about.

Henry knows best

Red Sox owner John Henry sent an email to some members of the media on Thursday night, saying his team would no longer be a factor in the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes this winter

But don't be fooled. He's just negotiating.

Don't read too much into that email. Don't look at his statement and think the Red Sox have taken Mark Teixeira off their radar. For it means everything but that.

Agent Scott Boras is, well, an agent. His job is to get the best deal for his client. Number of years, salary, bonuses; Boras is the best in the business. He goes to bat for his ballplayers. And Henry is just playing the game. He's calling Boras' bluff that there is an offer out there worth more than eight years, $180 million.

ESPN's Peter Gammons is reporting that the two sides aren't even far apart, so don't fret Red Sox fans. These negotiations aren't over.

If the two sides are close, you may be asking yourself, why is Henry telling everyone he's walking away? As stated above, he's calling their bluff. But more importantly, Henry knows that his team will have the highest offer on the table at the end of the day, because Boras needs it to be. Boras needs Teixeira to go to Boston, not New York or Los Angeles (Angels).

Remember, Manny Ramirez is still a free agent. Boras needs to get Ramirez more years and more money than what he would have received if he didn't force his way out of Boston (two years, $40 million). They won't be accepting a two-year deal from the Dodgers. And the Red Sox won't be putting in any offers for Ramirez. So Boras needs both the Angels and Yankees involved in a bidding war for his services.

Hence, leaving it Boras' sole responsibility in the next few weeks to get Teixeira to Boston somehow.

It really doesn't get any easier than that to understand. Henry and the Red Sox know this, so they don't feel the need to be paying Teixeira A-Rod-esque money, when in fact they could have actually gone out and tried to sign Alex Rodriguez last offseason after he opted out of his Yankees contract, instead of signing Lowell, and having that "other" big bat that David Ortiz called for recently.

But now the Red Sox have to deal with more than just signing that big bat. They have to find a new home for third baseman Mike Lowell, who has two years and $24 million left on his contract with Boston. Add that to the fact that he's coming off hip surgery, and that he'll be 35 in February, doesn't make for a big market for Lowell.

Kevin Youkilis isn't going anywhere other than moving from first to third base, so it's Lowell that will be shopped.

Henry's email was nothing but a smart negotiating tactic. In a perfect world, Teixeira goes to the Red Sox on Boston's terms, portraying Boras as the loser in those negotiations. But when Ramirez gets his four-year, $100 million contract with either New York or Los Angeles (Angels), you'll realize that Boras didn't lose, because it was all about Manny in the first place.

And John Henry knows just that.

Unexpected call

While Manny Ramirez 'considers' retirement from baseball, an NHL web producer gets his shot as a backup goaltender for the goose egg

We all know Manny is not actually going to retire. He'd accept a four-year deal from Boston before he did that. But while he performs his act in search of the big bucks, there are others who wish to fulfill their dream of being a pro for no pay.

See Washington Capitals web site producer Brett Leonhardt. The 6-foot-7 former Division III goalie got to dress as the Washington Capitals backup goalie on Friday night against the Ottawa Senators because of an injury to Jose Theodore, who suffered a hip flexor injury during the morning skate.

The Capitals had recalled a goalie from their AHL affiliate in Hershey, but the team was on the road in San Antonio, making it impossible for the replacement to be in Washington by the 7 p.m. start. Leonhardt participated in the team's warmups and sat on the bench fully dressed until Washington's minor league goalie showed up, midway through the first period.

It remains to be seen whether or not Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien would ever dress a local sports writer if there were a mishap with a forward of two during their morning skate, but consider my equipment to be ready at all times from here on out.

Yankees land Burnett

Just days after landing CC Sabathia, the Yankees have come to an agreement with A.J. Burnett

-ESPN.com is reporting that the Yankees have signed Burnett to a five-year, $82.5 million contract.

-FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal believes this could mean Derek Lowe going to Boston, but we shall see what happens.

The winter meetings have concluded, so there hasn't been much else to talk about. Expect most GM's to be talking behind the scenes in the next couple of weeks, and also expect Mark Teixeira to make a decision before Christmas.

Breaking tradition

The Red Sox unveiled new hats and jerseys on Thursday, making 'Red Sox Nation' even more foolish

The "B" is supposed to be one of the more sacred logos in all of sports. But now, Red Sox ownership has added a new secondary logo: the Hanging Sox.

Hold on while I go puke.

OK, I'm back. This is a joke right. I'm going to close my eyes, imagine that this is some sort of sick joke, and leave it at that.

Eyes open again. Still not a joke. This is serious. The Boston Red Sox are dead (expletive) serious in not only adding a new hat, but also changing the primary road jerseys back to its similar retro type, AND adding a new secondary blue road jersey.

I'm going to start breaking this down by looking at the new road uniforms. Not bad. Not great, but not bad. Pretty much gets rid of any red, and tweaked the letters a little bit. Only thing that ruins it is that stupid "Hanging Sox" logo on the left sleeve. No need for it, especially if you're trying to make it look like the retro road jerseys.

Next, let's look at the new secondary blue road jerseys. These will be worn with the new "Hanging Sox" hats, as seen above, which I will get to in a minute. But I have to admit, I do like the blue third jersey much better than the red. The only problem is, the Red Sox are going to stick with the brutal red jerseys as a secondary home jerseys, pretty much giving the team four overall jerseys (not counting the Saint Patrick's Day Green). The Red Sox started really shoving the color red down our throats in 2003, making the team's home jackets all red, which are terrible, if you ask me. I've always been a fan of keeping things more blue in the uniforms, so I'm not a big fan of sticking with the red jerseys.

Now to the aformentioned "Hanging Sox" hats. All I can say is wow. Has it really come to this? Is it really necessary to add a secondary hat, replacing the historic "B" with THIS?!?! Makes me sick to my stomach that this is happening, just to make a few bucks. We always hear about the Red Sox and put them in the same category as the New York Yankees, as one of the more notable organizations in sports. Well we can now stop doing that.

When the Yankees add a new logo to go along with the NY, let me know. But that won't happen. As much as Boston fans hate to admit it, the Yankees are a professional organization. The Red Sox do things like this to completely eliminate themselves from that conversation. And what's even worse is that most of the pink-hat fans in Boston will give in and buy the new Red Sox hats, letting ownership know they can change whatever they want, or make as many additions as they want, and the fools in Boston will accept it as nothing less than a great move. That's why they keep making changes. Because the can, and they know it.

The Yankees can too, but they don't. Heck, they have a new stadium being built, but it's going to look exactly the same as the old Yankee Stadium, same dimensions and all. The only thing the Red Sox need to change is their ballpark. Not the uniforms. I've been going to Fenway Park for years, and after being to other parks across the league, it's time for a new Fenway. If more changes are coming (and you know they are), hopefully Red Sox management will see that, instead of adding stupid seats in terrible places, and increasing the circus-like atmosphere in the concourse.

New uniforms? Then why not a new Fenway? Make it happen. Just don't put it in Southie. We have all the yuppies we possibly need, and we don't need any of them.

Will Peavy go?

The Cubs have reportedly told the Padres that they are no longer interested in trading for starter Jake Peavy, but that doesn't mean a deal is dead

-FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Los Angeles Angels have put together a package that they think could land Peavy. Cubs GM Jim Hendry told Padres GM Kevin Towers that they were no longer interested, but that could just be a smokescreen to get the media off their back as the winter meetings conclude.

After all, we've seen potential trades dies, and then come back to life quicker than you can say A-Rod. So don't rule the Cubs out yet on the Peavy sweepstakes.

The biggest issue in trading for Peavy is his $63 million over the next four years, and also the fact that Peavy has to sign off on any trade that is made. While Peavy has said he wants to stay in the National League, he may agree to an Angels deal only because he'd be staying on the West Coast.

-Rumors of a Mike Cameron-Melky Cabrera swap between the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees are true, and while it looked to have hit a snag early on Thursday, the Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel has Brewers GM Doug Melvin saying there's a "strong possibility it could still happen" as of 6 p.m.

Cameron looks to be part of a "CC Sabathia package" as the two are good friends, but the Brewers want a second player in return to go along with Cabrera, which is now the only issue holding it up.

-Speaking of those Yankees, SI.com's Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees have re-entered the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes, joining the Red Sox, Angels, Nationals, and Orioles.

-Other rumors worth noting are Randy Johnson is "really interested in playing for the Giants" according to his agent, Barry Meister . . . The Dodgers are still thinking of adding a third year in an offer to Manny Ramirez, but won't go any further . . . The Atlanta Braves willl make a final push for A.J. Burnett, saying they will guarantee a fifth year.

No surprise here

It's been long overdue, but Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens is at it again, this time accusing quarterback Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten of holding private meetings in which they create plays to use in upcoming games that don't include Owens

ESPN.com's Ed Werder has the story, which includes quotes from two current Cowboys players: Linebacker Bradie James and an unnamed player.

Here's what the unnamed player had to say about Owens:

"He's insecure about it,'' the player said of Owens. "The thing that bothers me more than anything about this problem is that it's always something with him - San Fran, Philly and here; always something. And he brings other people into it. You know, he talks to Sam Hurd and Roy Williams, who just got here and doesn't really know these guys. TO talks to him and so now he probably thinks Witten politics with Tony for the ball. That's so far from the truth. You think Tony is throwing to him because that's his buddy? His best buddy is Bobby Carpenter, and that's not helping him too much. It's crazy to think that, and I hate that he acts that way."

This player had more to say:

"To be completely honest, I just think Tony is over it; not like, 'Screw it.' But I think Tony is over the mind games,'' the player said. "It would help if Tony would stand up to him, but he would never do it. He does a great job of ignoring it and not letting it affect him, and that's why it has worked as good as it has. It's just hard. I think right now everybody is to the point where, "We're going to need him, so let's not piss him off."

Sounds like Owens hasn't changed one bit, which I actually believed he may have, after the crying incident he put on display last season, weeping that "Romo was his quarterback":



From Plaxico Burress to this, NFC East supremacy may end up in Philadelphia at the end of the day. So do most Eagles fans still like TO more than McNabb now?

Red Sox making progress with Teixeira

In the late hours of Wednesday night, FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Boston has come that much closer to signing first baseman Mark Teixeira

-Teixeira is looking for 10 years, $20 million per season, at least, and it is being reported now that both the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals have made offers close to that. Initial reports were that the Nationals made an offer for eight years, $180 million, but that has now been corrected to stand at eight years, $160 million.

-Reports also indicate that the Orioles' offer is for seven years, $150 million. Teixeira is from Maryland, so don't rule out Baltimore and Washinton just yet.

-The Mets have found their setup man for K-Rod, as they were involved in a three-team trade with Seattle and Cleveland that landed them Mariners closer J.J. Putz, outfielder Jeremy Reed, and reliever Sean Green. Seattle will receive reliever Aaron Heilman, outfielder Endy Chavez, first baseman Mike Carp, outfielder Franklin Gutierrez, and minor leaguers. Cleveland will receive reliever Joe Smith and infielder Luis Valbuena. The Mets are also eyeing a trade that could land them Juan Pierre from the Dodgers, so don't expect Omar Minaya to be finished dealing yet.

-The Boston Globe is reporting that A.J. Burnett has eliminated the Red Sox and Blue Jays from the teams he could sign with. The only two teams he will decide between are the Yankees and Braves. Rosenthal is also reporting now that the Yankees have upped their offer to five years, $91 million to land Burnett.

-It seems that Jake Peavy will eventually be traded to the Chicago Cubs, but the team is trying to come up with a plan to fit Peavy's remaining $63 million through 2012 into their budget. Look for a minor trade with the Cubs in the next few days prior to a Peavy deal.

-According to Ed Price of the Newark Star-Ledger, the Dodgers have had internal discussions about extending their two-year offer for Manny Ramirez to three years. Right now, it seems the teams that could still land Ramirez would be the Dodgers, Angels, Yankees, and yes, the Nationals. But I would expect it to come down to the Dodgers and Yankees in the end.

-The Texas Rangers have contacted the Detroit Tigers to ask about Gary Sheffield's availability, according Gerry Fraley of FoxSports.com.

Sabathia 'folds' to New York's begging

The Yankees begged and pleaded, meeting with CC Sabathia for three straight days this week, and finally got the big lefty to agree to the largest contract for a pitcher in Major League Baseball history

For seven years, $161 million, and no other team offering anything even close, you wouldn't have to fly to my home to meet with my family, or soften me up with introductions to Yankees legends. That's exactly what New York GM Brian Cashman did to try and convince Sabathia to play in pinstripes. Also, as part of the deal, Sabathia can opt out after the third year, due to his concerns about living in New York with his wife and children.

Mike Francesa said it best on his show all day Tuesday on WFAN in New York: If Sabathia doesn't want to be a Yankee, take the deal off the table. Sabathia isn't Johan Santana. He isn't going to be Roger Clemens. I'm not too sure what Sabathia's strategy was by delaying the process and expressing his desire to talk with teams on the West Coast that wouldn't have been able to come close to what the Yankees were offering. But now, he's a Yankee. Was it the money, or the begging? I'm still going to go with the money.

Word on the street is that the Yankees are also going after Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett, and Ben Sheets. If I were a betting man, I'd say they sign Lowe and Sheets to three-year deals, and bring back Andy Pettitte for one more season to open the new ballpark.

-For more of what's going on at the winter meetings in Las Vegas, check in with FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, who seems to have the best all around Winter Meetings/Hot Stove blog on the internet.

-Another name being thrown out there on the pitching market is John Smoltz, who's agent has contacted all six teams on his wish list if the Braves cannot afford to re-sign him. The Braves are willing to lose Smoltz if they can't match another team's offer, especially if they can land Burnett. Reports are that the Braves have offered Burnett five years, $80 million, so it does look as though Smoltz will go elsewhere.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Smoltz' agent has sent his client's medical records to each team on his list, which includes the Red Sox, Mets, and Tigers.

-Closer Francisco Rodriguez has officially signed with the Mets at three years, $37 million.

-And Mark Teixeira seems to be Boston's top priority during the winter meetings. The Nationals, Orioles, and Angels are all interested as well.

MLB.com's Bill Ladson is reporting that the Nationals have offered Teixeira an eight-year, $180 million contract.

Maybe the NHL should get scouts like this

If you haven't already, meet Bonnie-Jill Laflin, the NBA's first and only female scout

She is a scout for the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as the assistant GM for the Lakers' minor league team, the Los Angeles D-Fenders.

While I do my best to try and keep this blog strictly about commentary for top stories in the world of sports, I couldn't resist posting this video of Laflin, the former Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader turned scout, now turned naked PETA spokeswoman.

In my hourly search for the latest news on baseball's winter meetings, I began to pull my hair out reading so many rumors that have and will turn out to be just that, rumors. So for now, you'll have to wait for my commentary on the winter meetings. I've done enough typing. I'll let you see this piece of non-baseball related news for yourselves.

Putting them on the map

Dallas Stars agitator Sean Avery was suspended indefinitely by the NHL on Tuesday after his remarks about how "it's become a common thing" in the league "for guys to fall in love" with his "sloppy seconds"

So let me get this straight. Sean Avery called over every news camera in his locker room and made remarks about Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf dating his former girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert. His comment, which many news outlets are calling "offensive to some" made Jim Rome's First Burn and was the top story on Pardon The Interruption on Wednesday, and the NHL decided that it would be in their best interest to suspend the one man responsible for the league's largest amount of publicity in recent history?

I understand it wasn't positive publicity, but let's get serious here folks, was it really that offensive? It's 2008. I've heard far worse comments in the world of sports. Sure, maybe those comments didn't have to do with "sloppy seconds" but count me as one of the few who isn't the least bit offended by that term.

For those who want to throw the guy out of the league for this, let's remember what exactly Avery is. He's an agitator. At the end of his brief message to the media before Tuesday's game in Calgary, he said, "Enjoy the game tonight."

That game was against the Flames, the very team that Phaneuf plays on, the very player that has "fallen in love with his sloppy seconds." Avery's message wasn't meant to show bitterness towards his past relationship. It was simply a tool to take Phaneuf, one of Calgary's best players, out of his game later that night. And even though Avery couldn't be on the ice because of the suspension, it looks as if his tactics may have worked. Phaneuf finished on the losing side of a 3-1 game, with zero points and a minus-3 rating. Avery wanted to get into Phaneuf's head, and he did just that.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Jim Rome probably wouldn't have even muttered the letters NHL on his show until the Stanley Cup playoffs if this hadn't happened. And when's the last time you went to ESPN.com, and an NHL story was the No. 1A headline and graphic? And again, I understand it wasn't positive publicity. But nobody got hurt, did they? Nobody was even remotely put in serious harm after these comments, maybe other than Avery himself, the next time he sees Phaneuf on the ice.

So the fact that this was even the top story on these shows and websites was shocking to me. I mean, it's not like Antonio Pierce helped Plaxico Burress hide his gun early Saturday morning, and is still allowed to play in games on Sundays (sarcasm). We don't know what happened with Plax and Pierce until it's proven in a court of law (sarcasm again).

Please.

There are many people who have gone overboard trying to portray Avery as some sort of villain after Tuesday's comments. Anyone who pays attention to the NHL knows what Avery stands for, and what he does, and how he does it. Nobody is saying his antics are normal, because they are not, by any stretch of the imagination.

But it frustrates me to see his own teammates take shots at him for this. For example, here's what Dallas goaltender Marty Turco had to say, via ESPN.com:

"It's just so disappointing for guys who have been around here for a long time and have taken a lot of pride in how this organization has been perceived. The disrespect of this morning and other things over the course of the season have been extremely disappointing for us. It's a slap in the face."

You know what else has been extremely disappointing for the Stars? The fact that this is the same Turco who ranks 40th in the NHL in goals-against average (3.48) and is dead last in the league in save percentage (.874). If you know goaltenders, you know that most of them are in their own world. Turco certainly cannot put any blame on Avery for not being able to stop the puck from going in the net.

And then you have Mike Modano, according to ESPN.com, on how Avery will be able to "repair the damage he's caused in the Stars dressing room":

"It's going to take some time. It's a situation we'll have to address when that time comes, if it does."

This is the same Modano who only has seven more points than Avery on the season. The same Modano, who threw Avery under the bus after the game in Boston on Nov. 1:

"Tonight it seemed to be idiotic," said Modano after Dallas' 5-1 loss to Boston, in which Avery was thrown out for a hit from behind on Milan Lucic. "It's stupid. It's one of the more embarrassing things I've seen. In 20 years, I haven't seen anything like it. If that's what we're going for, maybe I need to find myself an office job."

For all that talking, Avery scored Dallas' only goal in that game, and had four shots on net and a plus-1 rating, while Modano had no points and a minus-1, and Turco allowed five goals on 25 shots.

And the more I write about this, the more I realize, wow, are we really talking about the NHL right now? I mean, I'm currently a beat writer for the Boston Bruins, but never would I think there'd be such an intriguing league-wide topic other than the Bruins this early in the season.

Never did I think I'd see such a national reaction to such a not-so-serious comment by a hockey player. And it's that reaction that makes me realize more and more that Avery isn't the problem.

We could go on and on about how the league promotes itself, or the lack thereof. For a perfect example, if you happen to find the Versus network on your cable or satellite provider, you may notice a commercial in which 20-year-old Chicago Blackhawks captain/up-and-coming star Jonathan Toews (24 goals and 30 assists in rookie season last year) tells the camera that he "plays for the name on the front of his jersey, not the one on the back."

Yikes. Not really what the league should be looking to promote during a national game, especially when more than half of the sports world doesn't even know how to correctly pronouce the kid's name (T-a-v-e-s).

So how do you promote the sport? You promote the players themselves, not the teams. We all understand the aspect of a "team game." But studs are studs. Personalities are personalities. Toews is a stud. Avery is a personality. Both can be promoted in ways that suit the league better than they are right now.

It seems as if Avery has taken that into his own hands. And while most of you may not like what he says or does, very rarely is someone getting injured. And publicity that doesn't involve injury (see Ron Artest fighting fans in Detroit) or criminal activity (see Plaxico Burress and Antonio Pierce) shouldn't be portrayed as "inappropriate" - which NHL commissioner Gary Bettman called Avery's comments.

I heard Jim Rome tell us all, "Avery's acts bring publicity to the game, but for all the wrong reasons." I wonder if Mr. Rome will happen to tune in on Feb. 3, when the Dallas Stars host the Calgary Flames at 8:30 p.m., just to see what Phaneuf tries to do to Avery. Versus will be airing the St. Louis/Columbus game that evening, for now at least. The network would be wise to change their schedule, and you can bet it will lead to their largest ratings of the regular season.

The bottom line is, people show up when Dallas comes to town. Not to see Modano. Not to see Turco. But to see Avery, and to boo Avery.

Does he bring publicity to the game for all the wrong reasons? Well, it may not be for the reasons Gary Bettman has in mind, but if Avery can get people to watch, then maybe people will see just how exciting the game is.

Otherwise, nobody's even giving it a chance.

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Just thought you might want to see this:



I'll have more later on why I think Sean Avery is good for the NHL.