Dallas Stars' image 'tarnished,' by Avery's comments, Modano says

CALGARY, Alberta — The questions buzzed around two of the Stars’ longtime players, although most of them had nothing to do with the team’s 3-1 victory over Calgary just minutes earlier.

Instead, it was all about Sean Avery’s indefinite suspension-earning comments about opposing players and ex-girlfriends. What were their thoughts? What about the decision?

Can Avery win back his teammates when he returns?

“Certainly it’ll be a situation we’ll have to address when it comes,” veteran forward Mike Modano said. “If it does.”

Modano and goalie Marty Turco voiced their opinions regarding the whole mess with Avery, who was indefinitely suspended for comments made at Tuesday morning’s skate.

Avery, facing a sizable media contingent, said, “I want to comment on how it’s a common thing for NHL guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don’t know what that’s about. Enjoy the game.”

Not many Stars were amused.

“It’s unacceptable,” Modano said. “Our image around the league has been tarnished a bit. We’ve always been able to handle personalities and throw them into the group. But it’s been a bit of work this year.”

Turco said the whole situation was disappointing.

“We gave him chances to be himself, but he said what he said and he does what he does, and that’s his problem right now,” Turco said. “This is an organization of being a man and standing up. And if he’s a part of it, he has to own up.”

Until all that shakes out, the Stars will keep their focus on the game. Still, the incident isn’t going to fade quickly.

“The disrespect of this morning and other things over the course of the season have been extremely disappointing,” Turco said. “We’re going to focus on what we can do right now. But we’re not going to ignore what happened today or pretend it didn’t happen.”