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The Return of Sean Avery:
The Pest Returns to the Big Apple

by Fernando Redondo

It would seem that this player is hated universally by all hockey fans; however, many hockey fans just hate when their team plays against him. Why? Because he frustrates opposing players with his style of erratic play and knows what exactly to do to get the correct penalties. But would it not be great to have him on your team at the moment?

Sure, people say Sean Avery has not changed, and he is still the same old goon that he has always been. However... not necessarily. In any hockey sense he has completely changed his style of play since arriving back with his old team, the New York Rangers.

Avery with the Dallas Stars (2008-09):
GP	G	A	PTS	PPG	+/-	PIM	SOG	S%
23	3	7	10	0.43	+2	77	49	6.1

Nothing too good at all... and, in addition to his mediocre play, his placement on waivers also came about because of the crude and infamous comments he made about Dion Phaneuf’s girlfriend. However, ever since his return from suspension, he has revitalized his season and career.

Avery with the New York Rangers (2008-09):
GP	G	A	PTS	PPG	+/-	PIM	SOG	S%
6	4	1	5	0.83	+2	8	13	30.8

He has also managed to make players go after him, achieving his goal of goading them into taking penalties. This is one of the key things that Sean Avery brings to the ice. This tactic has resulted in success because, ever since him and Tortorella have been together in New York, the power play has scored in six of the past thirty-two power plays.

However, players and referees alike are all still going after Sean Avery -- the referees with bad calls and the players by doing things that will earn any number of different penalties. But does Sean Avery care? No... he just rubs it off his shoulder and keeps playing. He is truly becoming a very good player, and he could arguably be one of the best in the league for the remainder of this season considering how things are shaping up.

The most astonishing thing, though, is how important the change of scenery has been in positively affecting Sean Avery. Just look how vital he has become for the Rangers. New York acquired the player they needed and were looking for since the beginning of the season -- a gritty player that is no nonsense, will do what is necessary to score, and wants to win games. Ever since he has come to Madison Square Garden he has been the most productive Ranger.

He is also a bargain among all the players they have on that roster what with how overpaid so many are. Gomez has been a sub-par producer with what his contract commands. Drury, defying his humongous contract and his team captaincy, has only scored two goals in 23 games. The Rangers were listing through the season, truly sub-par and without passion.

When Tom Renney was given the boot and Tortorella came in, the team had gone the past fifteen games with twelve loses and only three wins. Once Sean Avery joined the lineup? In six games with Avery, the team has earned four wins against two losses.

Everything is in place for the Rangers now to make a run to the playoffs. However, the key reason they will make the playoffs, and the reason this team has been completely recharged, is due to the acquisition of the one piece of the puzzle that was missing -- Sean Avery.

(with additional reporting and edits by Zach Bigalke)

Submitted 3/20/2009

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