Remember when Sean Avery would annihilate players in the corners and screen goalies by facing them and waving his stick around like he was leading a marching band? Or when would "accidentally" whack a goalie in the back of his head with his stick and was called for a penalty that the referees didn’t even see until it was replayed on the over head score board?
          Those were the days weren’t they, seeing him in the box whipping water bottles at the Boston Bruins fans. I remember those days, and I miss the hell out of them. I miss them because that was the Avery the New York Rangers needed on the ice and the fans loved to watch. Someone that would throw a cheap shot from time to time. A player who would light a fire under this team’s ass to get them going.
          But not any more, not since the NHL hog-tied him and watch his every move and listen to what he has to say to the press. Sure he’s made some off-color comments and acted out like an immature child but you love him. Don’t let the other teams fool you either. If he was traded or he was to sign somewhere else, they would love him and so would the fans.
          This team needs that ferocious, antagonizing, dirty but loyal player. And they need him in a big bad way. Don’t get me wrong, there is a list as long as the Empire State Building of what this team needs, but at least they don’t have to spend money to get it now. That player is already here and he wears the number 16. Take the collar off, open the fence gate and release the Pitt Bull that is Sean Avery. Let him take some cheap shots; let him throw some behind-the-scene punches. Let this man play hockey the way he knows best, as a fiery instigator that can get under any one’s skin.
         I guarantee if you let Avery be Avery, you’ll see this teams morale go up and see a little bit more hitch in there giddy-up. You might see Dan Girardi step into a scrapple when his team mate is having the crap kicked out of him. Maybe Chris Drury will actually speak up and show some life out on the ice and shred thee "Quiet Leader" title. Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky just might start to progress instead of regressing the way they have this season.
         But all of this wont matter. Because Torts won’t loosen the choke chain, and the NHL would still watch him like a hawk even if he was allowed to crack skulls the way he used too. I can dream can’t I or at least remember the way it was.

Sean Avery is Born to Raise Hell (via LoFFeN1987)