The Hockey News: Mike Brophy's blog: THN.com Blog: Sean Avery set for big UFA payday

THN.com Blog: Sean Avery set for big UFA payday

Sean Avery has 13 goals, 27 points and 130 penalty minutes in 44 games this season. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)

Mike Brophy
2008-03-10 11:20:54

The most sought-after unrestricted free agent next summer could be a third-liner.

That’s right, if the New York Rangers don’t lock up super-pest Sean Avery with an extension, you can bet your bottom dollar the NHL’s other 29 teams will get into a bidding war for his services.

Here’s why:

Avery is clearly an effective player whose team has much better results with him in the lineup than it has when he’s out. Also, with the way the game is going these days, with an emphasis on physical players, the 27-year-old left winger is the perfect combination of skill and a willingness to engage.

But mostly, you won’t have to break the bank to get him. That said, you can bet somebody will overpay. Is he a $3 million-a-year player? The Rangers probably don’t think so. But when other teams come courting, they might just change their tune, especially if somebody offers him $3 million a year for five years.

Avery has come a long way since his carefree, self-destructive days with the Los Angeles Kings, who traded him to the Rangers last season. Kings GM Dean Lombardi tried desperately to get the wild child to conform, and when he didn’t, Lombardi moved him. My guess is there were many who felt Broadway was Avery’s last stop on his way out of the NHL.

But a funny thing happened. Avery appears to have come to the realization that if he keeps his nose clean, he can make lots of money playing a game he is actually pretty good at.

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In fact, if I’m Sean Avery, I don’t even bother re-signing with the Rangers. I let the other teams line up to make me an offer. Then, if he chooses to remain in New York, the stakes will have been raised.

Who knows, maybe even his hometown team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, will come calling.

There will be better UFAs than Sean Avery available in July, but there aren’t likely to be many that will attract the attention of so many teams.

Mike Brophy, the co-author of the book Walking with Legends, is a senior writer for The Hockey News and a regular contributor on THN.com. His blog appears Mondays and his column, Double OT, appears Wednesday.

For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.

COMMENTS (41)

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TJ Warcholak Posted
(2009-04-30 06:09:07)

hey Bobby Goodman.... I HATE WWF.... I LOVE HOCKEY AND THE NEW YORK RANGERS, so i dont know how u think i like WWF is it because i like Avery or somethin and i like watching the fights?

alan thicke Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:13)

my guess is sean is headed back to detroit, where he began his NHL career. the fans really took a shine to him. they need a quick energy yapper on that squad, somebody to take over where mccarty and burr left off.

Fred Bartsch Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:12)

Bobby Goodman everything you say about the N.Y. Rangers is just about spot on, and I can say this because I have been a Rangers fan for (51) years. I thought the Rangers were trying to turn the corner on these LARGE contracts when they GUTTED the team just before the lockout, and promised to go with their drafted youngsters. I didn't buy in to it in the past and I don't buy it now. Yes you have to send a competitive team on the ice, but NOT for the LARGE contracts and times handed out, GIVE ME A BREAK! To prove your point about Sather, he got rid of every player EXCEPT MESSIER! That should have told everyone where and what the Rangers were going to do. and YES, I will take the Cold Beer!

Bobby Goodman Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:07)

ED...I don't love him and I don't respect him. I will admit that he puts out on every shift. I know you guys who like Avery also like the stats when he is in the lineup...I would ask that you also check out the stats when Orr is out of the lineup too. The team was getting beat up so bad that the players themselves went to the coach and demanded to have Orr be inserted in the lineup every game! Perhaps I am letting my disdain for guys like Neil Smith and now Glen Sather (still riding his Edmonton triumphs) trump and jaundice my judgement, but I don't think so. Guys like Jagr, blessed with so much talent and choosing when he wants to play drives me crazy. Washington rewarded him with a fat contract and he never put out. I used to love Shanny, but he is a mouthpiece and is only good from the blueline in. Hollweg is a coward and a chooch. But, Rosival is a dandy and so is Mara. NYR repeated a Neil Smith thing by rewarding Gomez and Drury with bloated contracts thoug and they are not worth it. NYR are a member of the original six and would love to see them do well but I am not sure that will happen with Sather at the helm. He and Mucklar enjoyed success when they were awarded the first round draft choices for 4-5 years at the opportune time to draft people like: Gretzky, Anderson, Messier, Coffey, Lowe, Kurri and company. They have done squat since then except ride their reputation.

ED1NY Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:06)

Bobby Good - you hate Av-man so much so I start thinking you just love him. Man, do you remember Stern's movie where he said "People who hate him listen to him MORE then people who loved him, bc they want to know what he is going to say next" I think you like him and would love to see him in Ottawa before he end up in Montreal ... with their PP he will be a perfect tool for them. Speaking about Avery and hockey - please remember Hockey is also heart and balls and fists and character - this guy has all of that. You don't have to score 50 goals to be a good fit ... to me to be a good fit is to make people around better, to spark them and his stats shows just that! isn't it? Ovechkin has 56 with 12 games remaining - he is magical! but Washington is out of PlayOffs. Noone in Rangers is close to that number but they are close to the top and very well might end-up at the very top .They wouldn't be able to do it without Avery! Isn't it make him MVP - with V for VALUEBLE - that is who he is

Bobby Goodman Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:04)

Fred, my man, next time you are in Ottawa...a large, tall and very cold beer is on me! Waddyasay?

Fred Bartsch Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:02)

Bobby Goodman- NO Apologize necessary, because I also at times put my foot in my mouth. I also apologize for my "STUPIDITY" statement as that was NOT necessary on my behalf. Let's just say we have a right to disagree!

Fred Bartsch Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:02)

Bob- Might I also say that for both you and I to have different ideas, but yet agree to disagree just shows that we come from (2) GREAT COUNTRIES!

Bobby Goodman Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:01)

I appologize Fred. You are absolutely right. Obvioulsy we have people up here too who love the guys with the big mouths. I am very much a US supporter. We have more in common than any other country on the planet and we share the same values, culture with the longes unsecured boarder in the world!. I am not a Make Believe fan nor am I a Hab fan...I am a Sens fan and a fan of good hockey (lately my loyalty has been challenged). I celebrate the skilled guys and the lunch pailers alike...especiall the guys with big hearts. I believe that effort should never take a holiday. But...I really hate the mouthy trash talkers. I have heard Avery interviewed and he has no respect for anything or anybody. People love his brash mouth and subsequently his behaviour is validated. He isn't respected by people in the league nor does he respect them. When I am really bored I will listen Jim Rome rant (with pregnant pauses of empty air as long a full trimester). He and many who call in to his show, worship the athletes with lots to say...and that was the genesis of my comment. Again Fred, it was wrong. Americans rock and thank God for them everyday.

Fred Bartsch Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:00)

Goodman- With your statement of he (Avery) needs to be in the U.S. where "Yappy Muthers are Celebrated", sure does sound like YOU are the "RARE CANADIAN" who brings this attitude of if it's wrong it belongs in the U.S. Talk about "STUPIDITY"! How about telling me which team YOU are backing, Toronto with "TUCKER" or Montreal with their we know better attitude, BUT haven't dominated the league in the past (30) years and are pissed about that fact. I just hope that "YOUR" opinion NORTH of the border is in the miniority, because it sure does sound like "SOUR GRAPES".

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