Avery's Getting Emotional

Kudos to Larry Brooks and the New York Post for quenching our thirst for Rangers news!  The latest comes from the Sean Avery arbitration saga:

As part of the arbitration proceeding, both sides must submit briefs in support of their respective positions.  Avery's camp will be submitting a brief which seeks an arbitration award of $2.6m for the season.    According to Brooks, the Rangers are seeking an arbitration award of $1.3m.  The Rangers' brief reportedly labels Avery as "a reasonably effective player as well as a detriment to the team," (Emphasis added).  Avery is quoted as saying, "It's hard not to take something like that personally and not to be emotional about it...I know this is part of the business, I know this is part of the process, but it's extremely disappointing to read something like that coming from Slats [GM Glen Sather] and not to be offended by it."   

What exactly makes Avery a "detriment" to the team in the eyes of management is left unclear.  One thing is for sure, however, Brooks certainly disagrees with the Rangers' approach: "No one could possibly think Avery was a detriment to the Rangers. That's careless and inaccurate terminology Sather is employing in his bid to win the salary arbitration case. The fact is that after acquiring Avery from the Kings on Feb. 5, the Blueshirts went 17-6-6 with him in the lineup, adding a jagged edge to a team that had been way too smooth for its own good the first four months of the season."

I happen to agree with Brooks, sort of!  Unless there are behind the scenes issues with Avery that we are not aware of, it's hard to argue with Avery's value to the team.  The team underwent a positive metamorphosis after acquiring the hard nosed and pesky forward.  He brought an attitude and swagger to Broadway that was sorely lacking.  Additionally, his 20 points in 29 regular season games can not be overlooked.

On the other hand, he disappeared in the playoffs when it counted.  Against the Thrashers, the whole team looked invincible.  In round two, however, Avery was invisible.  In fact, Avery acknowledged as much after the Rangers were eliminated from the post season. 

To me, this is the bottom line:  throughout his career, Avery has struggled to find his place.  His big mouth and over the top antics have inevitably led his employers to feel that he is more trouble then he's worth.  Upon coming to Broadway he seems to have found a home.  But let's not get carried away with ourselves.  Avery has a lot to prove.  20 games do not a career make!  As far as I'm concerned, his disappearing act in the playoffs was as noteworthy as his regular season revival.   

In the article, Avery says "at the end of the season, my hope was to sign a long-term deal."   Sean, what makes you think you deserve a long term deal at this point in your career?  L.A. dumped the guy for nothing.  If the Rangers sign the kid to a long term deal and then he reverts to his old ways, what are we left with?  An untradeable cap charge. 

The Bottom Line:  The Rangers need Sean Avery.  Period.  Perhaps the teams approach in labeling him a "detriment" was misguided (Spector speculates that this unpleasant experience may lead Avery to test the UFA market next season).  I would have preferred to see Slats use arguments similar to those presented above.  However, I do not blame the Rangers for taking a tough approach here.  Avery has a lot to prove.  The good news is that Avery is still very much committed to the team, "The arbitration hasn't changed my opinion at all about wanting to be a Ranger and being excited about this season," Avery said. "I'm really high on the team. I just wish Slats hadn't said these things about me. That's hard to take."   

Perhaps Avery recognizes that New York is the ideal location for him at this point in his career.  Perhaps he recognizes that the solid veteran leadership found in the locker room will help him mature and grow as a player AND as a person.  Perhaps Sean Avery will prove what he has to prove in New York.  Nothing would make me happier.         

Comments

[The Dark Ranger]

Great post Rabbi -- holy words. Here are some dark words -- I think Sather played this whole affair the right way.

Avery did under-deliver during the playoffs, and it is crucial with our new long-term (5 & 7 year long) acquisitions, that there is chemistry in the locker room. Jags barely put up with Avery and brushed off his antics, as Shanny was the catalyst for the trade and we know Jags is gone soon. Though a motivator on the ice, he has demonstrated inner-turmoil with his own team (think Kings) - speaks a little too freely with the press and the public, not to mention he'll be sitting with a bench full of overpaid free agents feeling their way into a new team. Gomez, Drury, Lundquist might not care for a hot-head reminding them how he got screwed by Sather and how he should be making how much they make.

You can just imagine? This is classic stuff...I kind of feel Avery is our version of Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears. Ah, my wife just doesn't understand.

tdr

[The Hockey Rabbi]

that's why we can't sign the guy long term (yet). He's got too much to prove.