Player Review: Sean Avery

The name Sean Avery brought up much controversial debate among the fan base this past season, including the many arguments that we had right here on this blog. Avery is fancied by some, abhorred by others, and after yet another disappointing season for the pesky forward, his future as a New York Ranger is in definite question for 2011-12. He said last offseason that we would see the "old Sean Avery" back and better than ever, but that we did not. We once again saw the distracted Sean Avery; the Sean Avery that was being held back by the coaching staff for most of the season. 

In 76 games played for the Rangers in 2010-11, Sean recorded three goals and 21 assists for 24 total points. Three goals in 76 games is not what the 31-year-old winger is being paid $1.9 million to produce, nor do I think it's something he is going to be satisfied with looking back on it. Roster spots on this Ranger team are harder to come by each year, especially with all of the young talent coming up through the system, and stats like the ones Avery posted this year are not going to be good enough to remain a Ranger when his spot is being contested by a younger, more talented player. 

Back in March I wrote an article about Avery's future in New York, and at the time he just came off a mentally-poor performance against the New York Islanders. In just over seven minutes of ice time, Avery managed to take three penalties, two of which were in the offensive zone. One came late in the game when it was very clear the Rangers were going to win, but despite the score, Sean two-handed the back of John Tavares' legs and spent the remainder of the night on the bench. 

It's games like those where I, myself, become annoyed and disgusted with the infamous agitator. Sometimes Avery forgets to think before he acts, and that is something head coach John Tortorella seems to never forget and it severely hurts Sean's role on the team because Torts simply doesn't trust him. 

But then there is the Avery that is very effective with what he does and also knows how to contribute in all areas of the ice. We saw that on December 10, also a game against the Islanders, when Avery skated on the first line with Marian Gaborik and finished the night with three assists. So now we have seen the high and low of Sean's game, but the problem is that there seems to be no middle ground. He does not know how to balance agitating and scoring, so basically they cancel each other out and he becomes completely ineffective. 

I do not completely pin this on Avery himself, though. In probably the most debated article I have ever written (unfortunately the comments are no longer there since we've since switched platforms), I addressed the issue of the coaching staff mistreating Avery and not giving him the opportunity he deserves to succeed. This came after the 11-round shootout against the Tampa Bay Lightning on December 23, when Avery was snubbed of a chance to shoot in the shootout. 

In that particular piece I wrote about a trend that was forming, and it mainly consisted of Avery being put on the first line to only later be dropped back to the bottom line despite skating well on that top trio. It was something I could not explain then, and to this day I still cannot explain it now. 

What I can do is speculate and I think that Tortorella's moderate dislike of Avery sometimes gets in the way of his coaching. Often times I have called out Tortorella for putting himself ahead of the team, which should never be the case in professional sports, and I think this is certainly one of those times with the way he treats Avery. 

Do not look at this as an excuse, however. Avery still needs to step it up himself and show that he belongs on this team and that he possibly could regain the trust of his coach. He didn't do that this season and if he is lucky enough to make it to the next, he better do something differently otherwise he will be as good as gone upon becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2012. 

GRADE: D

Comments

[MvpGaborik]

I agree with the Grade of a D here but i almost was going to give him an F...Now i am a fan of Sean and like what he is capable of bringing to the table night after night...hes not only an agitator but he has some skill as well...we've seen him score clutch goals before and get under opponents skin...I agree with the fact that Torts does not like him...wasnt it a few seasons ago at one point we had a line of Avery-Dubie-Jagr?...then over the past 2 seasons Avery had some chemistry on a line with Gaborik and Torts broke it up to quickly...yea Avery does some things we may not like or agree with but I think Torts has to loosen the leash a bit on Sean for him to be effective...if he is not bought out this offseason, then Avery better prove he belongs...if not his days as a Ranger, and perhaps days in the NHL can be coming to an end

[JohnP]

This is pretty much a dead on article, good job Nick. I am a fan of Sean Avery and have been since day one. For some reason I followed him with the Wings and Kings and I always felt he has a lot to offer. I think whatever issues he had on those teams probably had to do with some maturity problems with Sean and the fact that he marches to the beat of different drummer. I mean how many rough and agitating hockey players are involved in the fashion world? Here is a guy who is a real ballbuster on the ice and in the off season is helping to design clothes, I'm pretty sure he was alway interested in this and it more than likely raised some eyebrows on his past team mates. His on ice behavior at times was not something to be proud of. I thought his face guarding of fatso Marty was bush league and he forced the league to crate the " Sean Avery Rule'. His sloppy seconds comment although inappropriate did not warrant a suspension and counseling but his reputation preceded him and he was in my opinion unjustly punished.
As far as his play with the Rangers it has definitely been a roller coaster ride. This is due to a combination of things some in his control and some beyond that.
If you go back to ther Tom Renney days Sean was much more effective, he was allowed to play and he played pretty well and the Rangers had a tremendous winning record with him. In 07-08 he scored 15 goals and had 18 assists and 154 pms in 57 games and in 09-10 he had 11 and 20 with 139 pms in 69 games.

[JohnP]

Sean needs to stay focused every shift of every game throughout the season becasue he does seem to lose focus at times and I'll put that on him. However he needs to know that he isn't going to be jerked around from line to line or benched for every error percieved or real by the coaching staff. He needs to be put on a line where he can use his offensive skills as well as his forechecking ability. He is a dynamic skater and needs to use that talent as well. What has happened ever since the Avery Hater TORTORLOSER

[JohnP]

became the coach and put the short leash on Sean is that he doesn't seem to know what his role is. One game he is on the first line gets a goal or a couple of assists then goes a game or 2 off the scoring sheet and he is on the 4th line getting7 minutes a game. No player can be successful like this regardless of their skill set. If you look at a player like Dubi who at times suffers from brain lock but is never benched or demoted. There is a definite double standard at work with this coach and this player. So if the Rangers aren't going to let Sean be himself then they should let him go to a team that has a coach who is willing to take the good with the bad and at the end will have more good than bad. If that does happen I hope it's with the Islanders or Devils so he can stick to TORTORLOSER everytime they play and if not those teams they at least within the conference so they can see him more often than not.

[scrangersfan]

Great assessment by Nick. Avery can not play under Tortarella because Torts does not like him. It looks like he put him in there because he have to but as soon as Avery makes a mustake,he
nails him to the bench. No one can play under those condition.Nick is correct in assumimng that Torts.put his personal feelings in front of the good od the team.Good coaches dont do that.That is why IMO.the Rangers will never win the cup under Torts.I'm not a huge fan of Avery but if I had to choose between him and Torts,Torts would be history.Give Avery a chance to play his game and prove that he can return to his form and be as effective like he was under Tom Renny.

[Nick Montemagno]

Yes, good point about Avery playing with Dubi and Jagr. He was, in a sense, the glue that held that line together. If given the opportunity, Avery can take on a very large role and be successful with it. Unfortunately he is just not given that opportunity for more than a game or two with Torts as his coach.

[Nick Montemagno]

Thanks John. You are right, Avery's comment didn't warrant a suspension and rehab, but that just shows how he is mistreated by the league and, now, even his own coaches. Like you said, he was much more effective under Renney, so maybe it's Tortorella that is the problem.

[Nick Montemagno]

Absolutely agree. Avery just needs his chance. As I said in response to mvpgaborik above, Avery can succeed under permitting conditions. But the question is if he will ever be presented with those conditions as long as Tortorella is coach...

[Josh]

According to his twitter he is on a vacation with Voros and Richards in Jamaica right now so he can bring good news to Richard fans.

[JohnP]

I guess not everyone in Dallas hated him! Boy that is some trifecta Avery, Voros and Richards. Could Avery and Voros telling Richards how great it is or was being a Ranger? Or are they telling him to stay away becasue of the coach who Richards alledgely likes? THis now brings TORTORLOSERS fan club to a grand total of ONE!

[scrangersfan]

You're wrong John, Tortaloser have 2 fans in his fan club. #2 is his wife. I hope he reads this website and see what Ranger fans think about him.

[Nick Montemagno]

I don't think that they are going to re-sign McCabe to be honest. So that eliminates that. Del Zotto I expect to rebound and make the team out of camp. And Gilroy should be veeeeery interesting

[JohnP]

I'm not too sure his wife is a member, she maybe after the paycheck only becasue it can't be his winning personality! LOL

[JohnP]

Nick, I think you meant to reply under the Eminger piece.

[Nick Montemagno]

Whoops lol