What do Avery, Price and Phaneuf Have In Common?

The fact that Page Six of the New York Post is reporting that Sean Avery was spotted smoking cigarettes the other night in New York City shouldn't come as news to anyone. The guy loves to party, loves to be social and loves to be seen out on the town. What did you think he does? Sip on cosmos all night?

Meanwhile, Montreal "star" goaltender Carey Price was caught in this photo (to the right on top) in which he is enjoying not one, not two, but three cigarettes at once. Interesting. I guess you have to give him credit. Good thing he didn't have a game the next day. And pictured under that is a photo of Dion Phaneuf, seemingly very uninterested in what the blonde girl is blabbing about, and more concerned with how he is going to light his cigarette. Overall though, I don't have a problem with these guys doing it in the offseason, as long as it isn't during the season and isn't affecting their on-ice performance. Partying is what these young men do, they're kids. Especially in the offseason this shouldn't be a surprise, certainly not in Avery's case. And you are being ignorant if you don't think he rips a few butts occasionally during the season as well, I can tell you that firsthand.

Here is the text of the Page Six article on Avery:

IT'S officially the off-season for Sean Avery. The oft-penalized puckster, who was benched by the Rangers for Game 5 of their seven-game defeat to the Caps, was smoking cigarettes the other night with Catherine Keener and a gaggle of groupies in the Meatpacking District on his way to Daphne Guinness' birthday party for photographer Steve Klein at the new Standard Hotel. "He was wearing a tight black shirt, thick glasses and wide-legged swishy black pants," laughs a spy. "He looked ridiculous." Also in attendance at the party were Madonna and boy toy Jesus Luz, Ingrid Sischy, and Avery's ex Kelly Klein.