Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Sean Avery
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Love him or hate him, the Rangers seem to play better with Avery in the lineup and it's more about his ability to agitate the opposition than anything else. He has always lacked consistency in his game though, mostly due to his well documented problems, including a penchant for angering coaches. With 14 forwards under contract going into training camp, Avery has to be considered one of the players on the bubble to stay with the team. Of course, getting arrested, as Avery did in August for shoving a police officer, only hurts his chances of being relevant in New York. Fantasy wise, Avery has very little value outside of penalty minutes but with his reputation around the league, he'll never lack in such a category.
Avery still has the potential to be a fantasy asset because of his ability to score a few goals here and there, but most importantly, because of his penalty minutes. One of the league’s ultimate pests, Avery notched 160 PIMs last season, while also adding 11 goals and 31 points in just 69 games for the Blueshirts. If Avery is able to maintain a good relationship with Head Coach John Tortorella, then he has the potential to receive more playing time, which will certainly increase his value. On the downside, Avery has never scored more than 18 goals in any season and he won’t see much time on the power play. Avery has had his share of injury problems, and often finds himself on the sidelines because of a suspension or as an occasional healthy scratch, but it’s still pretty hard to find a guy that will easily crack 150 PIMs and 30-plus points on a consistent basis.
Avery's ability to agitate and aggravate reached new heights last year after he was suspended by the NHL for comments regarding ex-girlfriends currently dating other NHL players. The Stars cut ties with the troubled star, but he found a second chance with a second stint in New York. Avery seemed to have settled down on Broadway, but his inability to control his temper and make smart plays got him suspended by Tortorella in the playoffs. Despite the suspension, Avery and Tortorella seem to have a strong working relationship that should allow the coach to keep his goon reigned in - to an extent. Avery's penalty minutes may not reach the 200 plateau, but his points should see an uptick with some more time on the ice.
Avery will be looked upon to add scoring depth to a Dallas lineup that could use a top six scoring forward. He could slide in on the left side of Brad Richards' line if Mike Modano remains at center, so watch his training camp role early.
Avery stands at an unimpressive 5-9, but don’t judge this bad boy on the basis on his height – Avery has a mean streak and can scrap. Sean's one of those hybrid players that has a nice offensive game, and can ignite a team with his energy. He also has a knack for agitating the team’s top lines and draw penalties – minor details that doesn’t show up in the nightly statistics. However, Avery is at times, a loose cannon that could end up hurting the team more than help. But those are the things you live with when you’ve got this firecracker on the ice, he’s definitely someone who plays with passion and will stand up for a teammate. Expect 50 points and in excess of 200 PIMs when it’s all said and done.
As usual, expect him to lead the league in PiM, and score 40 to 50 points.
He most likely will start the season in the minors, and then be called up because of injuries or under performance of another player.
