The New York Rangers are in Europe and when one “Tweet” coming from Larry Brooks stated that the team will waive Sean Avery, fans instantly reacted like picking a scab off a reoccurring wound. In his almost five full seasons on Broadway Avery, the #1 agitator in the NHL, has always made headlines, always stirred the pot, but essentially had been pretty good for the organization.

I don’t this is personal between he and current Rangers coach John Tortorella. I think his 3 goals and 24 points last season spoke volumes, Erik Christensen (his 53% home face-off percentage probably saved him), had just 27 points, 11 goals, but had 12:45 of ice time to Avery’s 11:14, translation, Avery has the chance to be a more productive player. EC had averaged 2:07 power play TOI to Avery’s:22 so there is your point differential right there.

The other part of this equation means that rookie sensation Derek Stepan will move to the wing, something Brandon Dubinsky did as a veteran but it’s a much tougher task for a second year player. The player who “skates” by this move is Wojtek Wolski, who had just 19 points in 37 games but he is loaded with “potential”. He averaged 14:34 TOI and 2:05 PP TOI which means he was really less productive than the other two players mentioned.

So what happens to Avery? Will he report to Hartford? I think he will resist that and see if another team has interest in him. I have thought about what he might do if this happened and I think if no other team wants his services he might walk away from the game and pursue his career in the fashion industry. This is a guy with options and sometimes his passion for fashion may have affected his play on the ice, but only he knows the answer to that.

In the end Avery could still remain with the team if he works hard in Hartford and possibly battles his way but to the big club. Let’s see what he does.

photo by del Tufo.