Breaking News: New York Rangers controversial forward Sean Avery will have arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist and miss approximately weeks, depending on  his rehabilitation.  This is a big blow to the Rangers, who rely Avery for his physical play and nine points in 14 games played this season.  He is set to miss the Devils/Rangers next game on Nov. 9th, which could make things interesting, and possibly favor the Devils, who've struggled against their rivals this season (0-2-1).

Rangers' Sean Avery to have wrist surgery Thursday (NY Daily News)

Rangers' Avery to have wrist surgery tomorrow (The Journal News)

Top Story: Another illegal check by a Philadelphia Flyers player… This time Scott Hartnell did the deed… TSN has more on the hit and Hartnell’s two-game ban.  I'm not sure players are getting the message with small vacations.

From TSN:
"Philadephia Flyers' winger Scott Hartnell has been suspended for two games for his hit on Boston Bruins' defenceman Andrew Alberts Monday night.  Hartnell was given a five-minute boarding penalty and a game misconduct for the hit and Alberts left the game with an unspecified head injury. He is expected to undergo further evaluation on Tuesday. "

Four Flyers have now been suspended for dangerous, violent hits they committed this season.  The league needs to take action and eventually put an end to this mess and not wait until it's too late and a player is G-d Forbid paralyzed.

VOTE (don't worry, it's not a political debate):

The NHL wants you to vote for the 07-08 All-Stars... I agree – Cmon fans, Huet over Brodeur and Lundqvist for Eastern Conference Starting Goaltender... that would be a crime...

Fix This Mess:

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ schedule had them playing three games in four days and then a six-day layoff until they face Dallas on Friday.  Simply put, the NHL needs to mimic the NBA’s scheduling system, one where back-to-back nights are limited and local fans get to see every team in their arena at least once throughout the season.

Here’s how it works:
• Each team plays two games against every team from the opposite conference, one in each team’s building, for a total of 30 games.
• Each team plays their four division rivals four times each (twice at home and twice on the road) for 16 games.
• That leaves 10 other in-conference opponents to be played 36 times. A team plays six of those teams four times each and the other four teams three times apiece (18 at home, 18 on the road).

"In that scenario, NHL teams would still play a majority of games against conference opponents (52), which is what the standings and eventual playoff qualifying is based upon, yet they would not go two or even one season without hosting teams from the opposite conference" (Ross McKeon, Yahoo Sports).

The Penguins won their past two games and are now forced to wait nearly a full week before hosting Dallas.  To make matters worse, they have to fly or make the 300-plus mile drive to Toronto immediately afterwards for a road matchup the next night.

Tony Ferrante, MVN Writer, compared hockey’s inconsistent schedule to the likes of football.

“What is this, football??
“Just when the Penguins finally start to play some consistent hockey, the enigma that is the NHL schedule maker lowers the boom and gives the Pens a six day break” (Link).

Finally, does the NHL care about its players, going back to the Hartnell story?  Eric McErlain doesn't think so.

You be the judge.

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