Avery Rules- NHL keeps pace with Rangers instigator

Sean Avery and Martin Brodeur are two of the NHL’s most important and divergent personalities.  If “NHL Marketing” weren’t such an oxymoronic concept, the two would already be featured in an offseason sitcom, let alone commercials.  Brodeur is often lauded with praise and at the same time, is somewhat underrated.  As for Avery, you can now add “game-changer” to the colorful list of adjectives used to describe the New York Rangers’ most maligned winger. 

In less than 1% of the time it takes congress to pass a law, the NHL updated their rules- in the middle of a playoff series- in response to Avery’s conduct in Game 3 against the New Jersey Devils.  Hereafter, said conduct will be penalized as ‘unsportsmanlike.’ 

With a 5 on 3 advantage in the 2^nd period, Avery faced off with Devils netminder Martin Brodeur, at the border of the goal crease.  Like an NBA guard defending an inbound pass, Avery ignored the power play behind him, waving his hands and stick in Brodeur’s face.  Brodeur remained focused, but relinquished the go ahead goal moments later, after Avery rejoined the game to finish Scott Gomez’ inlet from the corner. 

The incident was a microcosm of their interactions since Avery was thrust into the rivalry last season.  Brodeur works to retain his characteristic calm, while Avery plays like Homie the Clown with a sock full of itching powder.  When the scratching and clawing subside, Brodeur’s numbers against the Rangers are strong, though imperfect.  This year, Brodeur’s mistakes are magnified by the stellar play of Henrik Lundqvist.

Around the league, most Avery related items receive a smattering of amused approval among a backdrop of frustration and disgust.  Perhaps the league’s grittiest elite playmaker, Joe Thorton was by far the most appreciative: “I think it’s hockey, I think it’s great… innovative.” 

No pushover himself, Sidney Crosby struggled to describe what he saw, in uncertain terms calling the new tactic: “a misconduct or something that should be called.”  As the face of the league’s future, you can literally make the rules as you go.

The speed with which the league levied their latest “Avery rule” is telling.  They’ve had ample practice, having already updated protocol earlier this season after Avery instigated a pregame dustup with Toronto Maple Leafs forwards Jason Blake and Darcy Tucker; the standby referee now waits in the penalty box during warm-ups, to prevent excessive harassment.  Not since Rob Ray’s glorious crusade of bare-chested beatdowns (prompting the mandatory fighting strap) has a player drawn such direct ire from the NHL’s front office.