The Hockey News: Special Features: Analysis: Avery adds grit to Big D at a reasonable price

Analysis: Avery adds grit to Big D at a reasonable price

Sean Avery scored 33 points in 57 games for the Rangers this season. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Ryan Kennedy
2008-07-02 13:58:50

The Sean Avery show is hitting the road once again and this time the No. 1 agitator in the league is heading to Dallas.

At four years and $15.5 million, this signing is downright reasonable, especially considering the insanity of the opening day.

Reputation aside, Avery provides speed and grit, something the Stars just lost yesterday when Niklas Hagman took off for Toronto. He also provides a nice offensive option for likely center Brad Richards on the second line.

It was largely assumed the fashion-conscious Avery would have preferred to stay near New York City for next season, but Dallas may be as beneficial to the notorious forward as he will be to the Stars.

In co-GM Brett Hull, Dallas has a sort of mentor for Avery, though Hull’s outspokenness as an NHL personality has never come close to the acidity with which Avery frequently spews. Nevertheless, perhaps the highly coveted chatterbox will learn to further harness his powers under one of the game’s best-ever scorers and media quotes.

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On top of that, Avery joins a squad laden with veterans, from Mike Modano and Brenden Morrow to Philippe Boucher and Marty Turco. In a similar situation with the Rangers the past two seasons, Avery thrived, even though injuries felled him at some rather cruel junctures (such as this year’s playoffs, when a ruptured spleen took him out of the Pittsburgh series).

No one else in the league is going to like this signing – and perhaps a few Stars fans won’t either until they seem him play – but a lot of that will be envy, not to mention the fact Avery and new teammate Steve Ott will probably have a running contest to see who can provoke the most maniacal reactions from opponents next season.

COMMENTS (17)

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hfan Posted
(2009-04-30 06:36:42)

Good for Avery. Despite what people say about him he is a good player and will only get better working with the veterans in Dallas. If he stays healthy I can see him being a great addition to the team. Lets all just wish him and the Stars the best and wait and see how they do this season.

a. post Posted
(2009-04-30 06:31:59)

you people who don't want him are out of your mind! what non-rangers fans don't know because they only hear the hype regarding is personality and antics, is that this guy went from being a typical "goon" when he first signed with us, to being one of the most CONSISTENT players on ice. by the end of the season Avery was scoring in almost every game. He is great on defensive, he goes straight to the net every time on the o, he can take a hit, give a hit and he has matured greatly this last season, able to control his temper and not get calls that need to be avoided. if you watch the playoff games against the devils, you will see that they went after him with a vengeance, four on one and really dirty. and he kept his cool and scored his goals. i think one in every thousand rangers fan didn't want him to stay. the rest of us are freaking out!

joe johannes Posted
(2009-04-30 06:31:43)

Rangers, take him back!! We HAVE agitators...Ott, Barch. We loved Nik Hagman, and most, if not all of us would much prefer him to this smart-alek jerk, who is getting more than if Hagman would have stayed with us. And Nik was a scorer, by the way. Better get perfect on the kill, Stars... you will be needing it, next year. Brett, what WERE you thinking????

Nate Root Posted
(2009-04-30 06:31:29)

This is one Leafs fan that did want him.

NYRfan Posted
(2009-04-30 06:31:26)

Avery will be missed in NY. He played his heart out every shift and energized the Garden. Dallas fans will love him even if they are a little apprehensive about the signing right now. Sather is a complete fool for letting him walk.

Scott Posted
(2009-04-30 06:31:24)

Avery brought speed, passion and nastiness to the Rangers. The team's record with/without him in the lineup since he came to NY is evidence of how valuable he was to the Blueshirts. Sather is a moron.

Marty B Posted
(2009-04-30 06:31:23)

Gee, I'll miss him.

John Marks Posted
(2009-04-30 06:31:20)

I think injury fears stopped NYR. Otherwise there would be no reason to not pay 4M a year to this guy.

Jesse Posted
(2009-04-30 06:31:17)

Hey Dallas, you'll like him. I'm going to miss Darcy Tucker. But I heard the Leafs were looking at Avery and thought that would make up for it. He may be a mouth piece but a) he backs it up and b) he plays hard every night.

teacup Posted
(2009-04-30 06:31:17)

you gotta be kidding me. EVERYONE in new york is complaining about his departure! he brought an energy to the rangers that no one else was able to. i'm sad to see him go.

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