This week's NHL news was dominated not by events on the ice but by one player's comments off the ice. The Dallas Stars hard man, Sean Avery, has been suspended for 6 games following some on-camera remarks about the Calgary Flames defenceman, Dion Phaneuf, and his relationship with Avery's ex-girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert.

In a bizarre address to reporters in the locker room following the Stars' morning practice, Avery said “I just wanted 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 dunno what that's about but enjoy the game tonight.” The incident was deemed serious enough for Avery to be immediately suspended for conduct 'detrimental to the League or game of hockey.'

Avery has since apologised to Phaneuf, Cuthbert and the NHL for his inappropriate statement and has accepted his 6 game ban. Interestingly, the league commissioner, Gary Bettman, has said that if the comments had been made on the ice, in the heat of the game, no punishment would have been handed out. 'Trash talk' is OK it seems... just as long as it takes place away from the public eye.

Elsewhere this week, the 2006 Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, dismissed their head coach Peter Laviolette. He becomes the 3rd NHL coach to be shown the exit this season. The Hurricanes wasted no time in appointing his successor, naming Paul Maurice as head coach for his second spell in charge of the team. In his 8 seasons in charge previously Maurice presided over 268 wins. It was Laviolette, however, who led the team to glory three years ago - Maurice has a lot to live up to.

There was also some action on the ice this week! The San Jose Sharks remain the hottest team in the league, sitting six points clear of the Detroit Red Wings atop the Western Conference. Their stunning nine game winning streak came to an end on Saturday night, however, as the Sharks went down 3-2 in overtime to the Edmonton Oilers. The overtime loss still means, however, that the West Coast team have taken 19 out of a possible 20 points in their last 10 games. They already look likely 2009 Stanley Cup contenders.

The Red Wings are comfortably out in front in the Central Division after recording wins in their three games last week, including thrilling encounters with the Vancouver Canucks and the Chicago Blackhawks. There were 11 goals in the Canucks game with Jiri Hudler and Dan Cleary both scoring twice to give the Red Wings a 6-3 lead in the third period. Vancouver cut the deficit to one goal to leave a nail-biting finale with the Detroit outfit holding on for a 6-5 win. Against the Blackhawks, there was even more drama as the Red Wings rallied from 4-2 down in the third period to tie the game 4-4 and win the game in a shootout.

In the Pacific Division, Vancouver have dropped off the pace in the absence of their star goaltender, Roberto Luongo. As well as shipping 6 goals to Detroit, they let division rivals, the Colorado Avalanche, put 4 past them on Sunday night. They notched up one win in the week against the Minnesota Wild but that was not enough for them to hold on to top spot in the division. The Calgary Flames' two wins in the week, including shutting out the New York Rangers (3-0), takes them to the summit.

In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Bruins are making the pace, holding a 2 point lead over the New York Rangers despite having played 4 games fewer. The Bruins' recorded wins over struggling South-East Division teams, the Tampa Bay Lightning (3-1) and the Florida Panthers (4-0) where goaltender Manny Fernandez recorded his first shutout of the season in winning his seventh straight start. The Montreal Canadiens also look strong in the North-East Division inflicting a resounding 6-2 defeat on the New York Rangers on Thursday night.

Despite a poor week, in which they recorded only one win, the Rangers remain at the top of the Atlantic Division. Crucially, that victory came over division rivals Pittsburgh Penguins. The Rangers will be looking nervously over their shoulders, however, as Pittsburgh, the Philadelphia Flyers and the New Jersey Devils are all playing well and within striking distance with plenty of games in hand. The Devils are coping admirably without their future hall of fame goaltender, Martin Brodeur, who is out with injury. The Atlantic Division is looking like the strongest pool in the East.

The weakest, without any doubt, is the South-East Division. The Washington Capitals are at the top after a busy week for them in which they recorded victories against the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs while losing to Carolina and Florida. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Atlanta Thrashers have the worst records in the NHL and their poor form continued this week, mustering only one win between them in the past 7 days.

All in all, an eventful week in the NHL. As Sean Avery sits out the next few games, his Dallas Stars prop up the Western Conference. Dion Phaneuf has the girl and his Calgary Flames are top of their division. I know whose shoes I'd rather be in this week!