The NHL has suspended Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery indefinitely, pending a hearing with commissioner Gary Bettman.

Avery will miss tonight's game against the Calgary Flames.

The Stars' super-pest is being suspended for disparaging remarks he made this morning in reference to Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf and Phaneuf's girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert, who previously had a relationship with Avery.

"I am really happy to be back in Calgary, I love Canada," Avery said on camera this morning in Calgary. "I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about. Enjoy the game tonight."

Cuthbert has also been romantically linked to Canadiens defenceman Mike Komisarek, while Avery also dated model and actress Rachel Hunter, the girlfriend of Kings centre Jarrett Stoll.

Avery's hearing will take place in accordance with the NHL Constitution, for conduct "detrimental to the League or game of hockey," the NHL announced.

Stars owner Tom Hicks also released a statement on the team's website in which he said he supported the NHL's decision.

"Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have," Hicks stated. "This organization will not tolerate such behaviour, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so."

Teammate Marty Turco wasn't impressed with Avery's latest antics either.

"Hopefully, he doesn't back down. He better show up like a man," a frustrated Turco said prior to learning of the suspension. "But we expect that out of him like we have all year and the show continues."

Centre Brad Richards was more direct.

"It's none of my business what he says and I'd rather not talk about Sean," said Richards. "He's got his own thing going on."

Former NHL tough guy Matthew Barnaby offered his thoughts on Avery during his appearance on TSN's Off The Record.

"He's not the most popular guy. He has to make himself a better team guy. You can't put yourself ahead of the team and that's what he does," said Barnaby. "They have a great locker room (Modano, Turco, Morrow), and I'm surprised it's gotten to this point."

Sources tell TSN that the Stars are expected to send Avery home Wednesday morning.

BLASTED.

Take that! Stupid power polls!!!

The Bruins make it 13 straight at home by beating the Hurricanes but they also lost Patrice Bergeron in the process. I didn't get a chance to see the hit live but the big concern seems to be that it could possibly be another concussion. I saw the replay a couple of times and it didn't seem to be too vicious, but if I remember correctly I don't think it takes much to get another concussion if you've already had one.

It'd be awful for both the Bruins and Bergeron if he's gone for an extended period of time. Bergeron gave/gives the team balance on offense. And Bergeron didn't deserve to go down again since he tried so hard to come back at the end of last year. He doesn't deserve to become the next Eric Lindros before he hits his prime.

The Bergeron hit was his own fault. He tried to line up the guy and got clocked. This is not like the from-behind hit of last year; this one was totally legal and clean.

It's still too bad that he might've got another concussion, but if you've had a concussion before, you shouldn't try and hit a guy bigger than you in open ice. Just sayin'.

YAY!!!

I'm thinking Rangers/Bruins next year...

or 2 Canadian teams.