I still don't get it.

Sean Avery is finally in trouble, but it isn't what you think.

It wasn't this comment, back in February:

"I think they can eliminate a lot of Europeans who are mediocre and are taking a lot of jobs"

It wasn't this comment, regarding Denis Gauthier's clean hit on J-Ro, in September:

"I think it was a clean hit," he explained on Tuesday. "I think it was typical of most French guys in our league with a visor on, running around and playing tough and not back anything up."¹

It wasn't even a vicious dirty check from behind into the boards against Simon Gimache (who happens to be "French" and who also happens to wear a visor). He was given the appropriate five minute major plus one game misconduct penalties, but he was assessed no fine or further reprimand from the League. I, for one, think it was a premeditated attack. I was hoping he'd get a suspension on the order of 10 games, but it seems like that's not going to happen.

He got in trouble for... are you ready for this ....
diving.

The League has fined Avery $1,000 for diving incident in a November 3 game against the Coyotes. Apparently, the League will warn you once and fine you the second time. He had been warned about diving in the October 19 game against the Avalanche. A third offense will mean a $2,000 fine, and a fourth offence would mean a single-game suspension.

Are you reading this, Erik Cole?

Avery is appealing the ruling, and without even seeing the evidence, I think he might have a case. I hate to say anything supportive of Avery, but the thing that may go in his favor is that there was no penalty called. It was only after the game that they decided he had dived.

Genius that he is, Avery had this to say about that:

"I don't have a comment on it right now," Avery told the newspaper. "If I lose the appeal, I'll have plenty to say then. It's an issue I will not let go."

Sean, let it go. It's just a thousand dollars. The League has made it very clear that remarks disparaging to the game or to the League will not be tolerated. There are not clear-cut fines or suspensions, but the "new" rules specifically mention that public criticism of the game or its officials will result in fines. I'm guessing that they might be more than a thousand dollars.

¹ Those "French" "sissies" probably know how to gerundize verbs, you ass-clown.
"Running around ... not back anything up"?
C'mon, man!