In news that is sure to delight the rest of the Eastern Conference, the New York Rangers have claimed forward Sean Avery on re-entry waivers, as reported by TSN. There was some speculation leading up to the announcement that a number of teams might consider a claim before the Rangers, but the Avery-to-New York reunion was destined to happen.
Avery, as you might recall, was suspended for six games earlier this season for the heinous crime of assembling the media and telling a sex joke, and was then essentially banished from the Dallas Stars. Recently, he had been playing for the Hartford Wolfpack of the American Hockey League before the Stars placed him on re-entry waivers Monday morning.
The Rangers will be responsible for half of Avery's remaining contract, while the Stars will be paying him to raise some hell in another city.
If nothing else, it should be an entertaining couple of days as Avery's first game for the Rangers is expected to be Thursday night against their cross-town rivals, the New York Islanders.
Plus, there's also the storyline of how new Rangers head coach John Tortorella is going to handle his new weapon. Shortly after Avery's suspension (for telling a sex joke) Tortorella sounded off:
''Enough is enough. He's embarrassed himself, he's embarrassed the [Dallas] organization, he's embarrassed the league and he's embarrassed his teammates, who have to look out for him. Send him home. He doesn't belong in the league.''Ah, yes. This should be fun. Of course, Rangers general manager Glen Sather responded by saying that, in time, Tortorella will learn to love Avery just as he does.
The Rangers have been struggling the past month, losing 12 of their past 15 games. Is Avery going to be the cure for what's currently ailing this team? He certainly brings some positives on the ice. He can score a little bit, he plays with an edge, everybody else in the league hates him, and he brings plenty of grit, sandpaper and piss n' vinegar to the lineup. But can he be controlled off the ice?
That's the question.
While he's had a questionable locker room presence in Los Angeles and Dallas, he seemed to fit in with the Rangers during his two-year stint in Manhattan. Though, it's worth pointing out that it's a slightly different locker room this season (no more Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan, Martin Straka) with a new head coach.
Should be interesting to see how this plays out for the Rangers.
Sean Averys Strange Career
Dallas Stars player Sean Avery, right, has been suspended for six games after using a crude term about his former girlfriends now dating other hockey players. One of those ex-girlfriends, actress Elisha Cuthbert, center, now goes out with Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf. Click through to see more of Avery's career twists.
Getty Images / FilmMagic
In New York's series against New Jersey last season, Avery made headlines for attempting to distract Devils goalie Martin Brodeur in an unusual way. The NHL immediately made a rule change to prevent a repeat.
Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
It was announced last season that Avery would intern for Vogue magazine, as the agitator also has shown a keen interest in fashion. Avery is pictured here at a fashion show in September 2007.
Rob Loud, Getty Images
Avery was mentioned in media reports as being connected to the prostitution ring that brought down New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer. But Avery laughed off the accusations.
Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images
Earlier last season, Avery was accused of making a cancer-related remark to Maple Leafs forward Jason Blake, pictured, who is coping a rare form of leukemia.
Bruce Bennett, Getty Images
The incident led to numerous fights between Maple Leafs tough guy Darcy Tucker and Avery, with both teams getting fined and the incidents creating news.
Graig Abel, Getty Images
Broadcaster Brian Hayward was subjected to a tirade from Avery in 2006. The then-Kings forward was upset with Hayward's comments on a local broadcast.
Bruce Bennett, Getty Images
In October 2005, Avery was accused of making a racial slur against then-Oilers enforcer Georges Laraque.
Andy Marlin, Getty Images
A month earlier, Avery was fined for anti-Francophone comments he made after Coyotes forward Denis Gauthier put a hit on one of Avery's Kings teammates.
Jeff Gross, Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-03-2009 @ 1:02PM
dferre5587 said...
avery is a douche bag. he has no talent at all. of all the hockey players in the world, this rat bastard gets in the nhl. cmon. he brings nothing to the table. its time these players felt privelaged to play a sport professionaly.
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3-03-2009 @ 1:02PM
Chris B. said...
Ohh man, I can't wait for the 8th when the Bruins will go after Avery again as they did earlier this year! I think there's gonna be a lot of fighting :-).
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3-03-2009 @ 1:54PM
angcat56 said...
love it, get some punch back in the line up.. wake up ranger's .. , we need mess back... as GM.
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3-03-2009 @ 3:42PM
No I In Jesse said...
For all the speculation that Avery with Torts is a train wreck waiting to fly off the rails, think about it critically. These are two guys who are really quite similar, in their wryness towards the media/opponents and their attitude towards how to play the game once the blades hit the ice. Avery forechecks, he finishes his hits, he never never stops hustling, and he will take an absolute beating if it means he can get to a puck in the front of the net. That's a John Tortorella player.
Y'all like to yap about how Aves is all about himself, but this is a dude who ruptured his spleen in a playoff series because of how he puts winning about his own body. He's idiosyncratic. He's a smart guy who knows how to push buttons, and sometimes he takes too much pleasure in that fact. But he plays to win.
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3-03-2009 @ 5:55PM
rturbo210 said...
Once again the Rangers prove that between them and the Knicks the Garden should be leveled. Next we maybe bringing Isiah back to the building too.
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3-03-2009 @ 9:03PM
carolou77 said...
Well two out of two!! First I thought Renney was ready to get the hook, and secondly Avery is coming back as a NY Ranger!!! Yeah and amen!! I only wish I could be at the game for his return..The Rangers are about to be brought up another notch. So Sean Avery, you go with your bad self and there are alot of fans that hated to see you go...dont worry your team shirt hasnt left MSG, it showed up at alot of games even with you gone. So for once I can be happy to say.. Lets Go Rangers!!
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3-04-2009 @ 7:52PM
wless315 said...
It's about time. The suspension was ridiculous. Talk about a double standard. It's okay to bash someone's head in on the ice, but make an off-handed comment about your ex-girlfriend off the ice and they throw you out of hockey????? How stupid is that. I, for one, think Avery brings something to the Rangers that has been sorely missed. He brings fire and enthusiam and grit. I was one of the fans who was completely disappointed that the Rangers let him go after last season. I can't wait to see him play tomorrow night (I will be at the Coliseum cheering for the Rangers...yes I am a Ranger fan who lives on Long Island) The team is better off for having him and hopefully Torterella can suck it up and let him play the way he needs to. You go Sean!!! New York loves you!
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3-05-2009 @ 1:09AM
thetrutheh said...
avery knows this is his only shot left. plus glen sather is not an idiot. with avery the rangers have an edge teams have to watch out when avery is on the ice. he does have enough skills to score goals. besides sather also knows that avery is a draw. fans will come out just to see what avery might do. the rangers have some positives in getting avery back on the ice.
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