Why Waiving Sean Avery Was The Right Decision For The New York Rangers

You may be right , and most probably you are, but I’m still sorry to see him go. Throughout all his trials, the one thing you have to say about Avery is that he gave 100%, 100% of the time he was on the ice. He never backed off, he never stopped trying, which is a LOT more than you could say about a lot of recent Rangers (present Rangers EXCLUDED). His play lessened for a couple of reasons which would hold true for ANY player- he was not given enough time on the ice (athough 3 goals in his last 15 games, playing a severly limited of time isn’t exactly bad), and rightly or wrongly, Torts really didn’t like/trust him and severly limited his style of play. His talent level is comparable to some players who are still on the roster, so I believe the other factors really made the difference in Tort’s decision.
Bottom line, a couple of factors made this decision the right one, but it’s still a shame to see him let go. I still think he has NHL talent and wish him good luck.
He has surely made things interesting in the short time he played for the Rangers.
I, for one, will miss him on the team.

Did we forget this was a business? And the powers that be need to make decisions in order to improve the team even if means demoting Avery or even trading for a Bobby Ryan. I’m all for Avery’s demotion because the move was to make way for a team improving and getting healthier. The Rangers have a good thing going and there is no reason to mess with what’s currently proving to work, unless the powers that be can make a trade to improve the team without sacrificing key components.

I’m an Avery fan, but like you said Rupp getting healthy has cost his job. The role Avery was playing on this team is a role more suited for a guy like Rupp.

You have to feel bad for Christensen in all this. The man has been trying like hell to play his way off this team for a long time now and Torts won’t waive him no matter what. Even with Wolski healthy. Does he have pictures of Torts with a goat or something?

While I also agree this is not likely to affect the team, it baffles me that EC is still here. In terms of return, EC gives this team nothing. If Avery’s spot was taken by Mitchell and Rupp, EC never had a spot to get taken away. I don’t understand why he is still here and I stick by an earlier statement that this may be a move to get cap for a future trade.

I’ll take Rupp over Avery or EC any day! He’s a hard nosed player that is tough, can score occasionally, and isn’t a liability. It’s really EC I could live without. I don’t need to see a flash of brilliance once every 10 games!!! At least Avery is a consistent player. Half the time I don’t even know EC is in the game!!!

but didn’t we start to turn this season around and win right around the time Avery came back??? The truth is NY’s love affair with Avery is because he is a hockey bad-ass, and NY loves hockey bad-asses who like to cause trouble. Only problem is torts doesnt want a trouble-maker or a bad-ass on “this team” or “NYs team” because it is “his team.”

I agree with your post Brandon though disagree with some of the reasoning.

We have a lot of role players, but I don’t think Avery’s role has ever been competing with Rupp.. Rupp is an enforcer and a deterrent and while Avery is “gritty” I do not think he would deter even the smallest opposing player from making a cheap shot. I guess Rupp has a small agitation component to his game that is of course Avery’s bread and butter.

Avery’s biggest assets, and ones pointed to by supporters, are his energy and forechecking. It is Hagelin, not Rupp or Mitchell, that eliminated Avery’s spot on the roster. Hagelin is better at both of these skills and is a great defender on a defense-first team. Mitchell and Rupp serve different functions that I do not see Avery competing for.

I see a ton of comments from die-hard supporters saying that Torts is making this a 100% personal decision and he should be fired. I have to immediately write off these commenters as morons. If Ovechkin has a personal problem with the coach, maybe you fire the coach. No coach is getting fired over a 4th line player.

It’s his contract that doomed him. When staal comes back the rangers will be tight up against the cap. Avery although better than EC is too expensive to keep in the press box. I saw the writing on the wall when wolski was due back. Unfortunately for Avery the numbers game, contract, and coach worked against him when it came to who gets sent down.
While I love the energy and effort he gives, it was the right move. The only hope for him is he lights it up for the whales and forces his way into the roster via injury

Dont like to see him go,but business is business,i think wolski will be next,Rangers will tinker a bit before all is said and done,and we head into the playoffs.