Loudmouth but talented Sean Avery is back on the ice, having been assigned to Hartford of the AHL by the Dallas Stars, who have long said they won’t be taking Avery back after his infamous “sloppy seconds” comment and subsequent suspension.
The New York Rangers have long been mentioned as the team that would allow Avery to return to the league, and Hartford is the Rangers’ AHL affiliate. Avery, who cleared waivers on Monday and has the rest of this season and three more years remaining on his $15.5 million contract, could eventually be recalled and pass through waivers again.
The Stars would still be committed to half his salary, and the Rangers, or any club below the Rangers in the standings, could claim Avery and pay the other half. The Stars could still try to trade him, although that market has few suitors and they would likely have to agree to eat some of his salary. Or Avery could spend the rest of the season in the minors and the Stars could buy him out.
“Dallas has given me a great opportunity to come and play here right now,” Avery said at the Wolf Pack’s practice facility Tuesday. “I’m just worrying about today and happy that I’m back playing. That’s the important thing.”
The Stars don’t have a minor-league affiliate and had to find one to take Avery. It’s no coincidence that was a Rangers’ affiliate.
“Sean and the Dallas Stars approached me looking for an American Hockey League team for him to resume playing, and I am happy to provide him with the opportunity to continue his career,” Rangers General Manager Glen Sather said. “Sean was a good player for the Rangers during his time here and has worked extremely hard off the ice over the last two months. He remains under contract to and property of the Stars, therefore, any further comment would be inappropriate.”
Avery hasn’t played since his NHL suspension in December for making a crude remark about other hockey players dating his former girlfriends. He completed treatment in a league counseling program last weekend. He spent part of two seasons with the Rangers before signing with Dallas.
“Sean’s a good hockey player. He can help anybody he plays for, there’s no question about that,” Rangers coach Tom Renney said. “This is a guy who could play and was a great teammate, and was always there for his teammates and laid it on the line every single night. How could you not admire that?”
Avery had three goals and seven assists in 23 games this year and was a plus-2 for Dallas.
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