RaginCaucasian Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Avery to Blueshirts for Ward & 2 prospects. Updated: Feb. 5, 2007, 8:18 PM ET Rangers bring gritty forward Avery to New York Associated Press NEW YORK -- Sean Avery, the NHL's most-penalized player the past two seasons, was traded to the New York Rangers on Monday night in a deal that sent checking forward Jason Ward to the Los Angeles Kings. Avery had 10 goals, 18 assists and 116 penalty minutes in 55 games this season with the Kings, who also acquired the rights to unsigned forwards Marc-Andre Cliche and Jan Marek. Los Angeles sent 19-year-old prospect John Seymour to the Rangers. "Some teams were actively pursuing Sean, the New York Rangers were very aggressive," Kings general manager Dean Lombardi said. "From our standpoint, the key is the young player, Cliche, who has impressed us." Avery has made more of a splash off the ice. The brash left winger received a league reprimand in September 2005 when he made derogatory comments about French-Canadian players after then-Phoenix defenseman Denis Gauthier hit former Kings teammate Jeremy Roenick in an exhibition game. Avery issued an apology. He also was outspoken a few months later when he received a fine for diving during a game. Avery complained about the punishment, which resulted from a second offense, and drew a second $1,000 fine. He suggested that the NHL singled him out because of his earlier comments. As part of his protest to the diving fine, Avery chastised union members on the league's competition committee -- including new Rangers teammate Brendan Shanahan -- for agreeing to such penalties that aren't subject to appeal in the collective bargaining agreement. The 26-year old Avery had 257 penalty minutes in 75 games last season along with career highs of 15 goals, 24 assists and 39 points. He signed a one-year contract with the Kings before this season worth $1.1 million and can become a restricted free agent in the summer. "He's been good," Lombardi said. "All year he's learned to be a better teammate. He comes to play every night. Sometimes emotion gets the best of him. I think he's made marked improvement this year. "Sometimes players just take a little time to mature. Sean's still young, hopefully he'll continue to do so. He's going to a big stage now. If he continues [to mature], he'll do just fine. From the summer, when I first got there, there wasn't much of a market for Sean Avery. He's made progress." The deal was completed shortly before the Rangers faced the Detroit Red Wings, Avery's first NHL team. He is expected to join the team for Tuesday's game at New Jersey. New York has been looking for a spark while trying to break out of a slump in which the Rangers lost six of nine and 13 of 20. They were held to two goals or fewer 11 times during the stretch that dropped them below the cutoff line in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Ward, who can be an unrestricted free agent after the season, had four goals and six assists in 46 games. He was scratched for five of New York's previous seven games. Seymour had one goal and five assists in 34 games with the Brampton of the Ontario Hockey League. The Kings, last in the Western Conference, are looking more to the future. Cliche, 19, has 15 goals and 21 assists in 35 games with Lewiston of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, while Marek posted 17 goals and 26 assists in 42 games with Magnitogorsk of the Russian Hockey League. "Jason Ward obviously is an NHL player, he can come in and play for us right now," Lombardi said. "A player like Cliche, who played for the Canadian National team, this kid works his tail off, he's the type character we're looking for. "Marek is one of the leading scorers in that league. He's got a lot of skill and is made for this game. Two players who have some upside and a player [Ward] who can come in and play now. I think this made a lot of sense for us." Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press I like this guy, really looks like a good trade dispite having to give up Cliche & Avery is young, gritty and brings some energy to this team. I want to know what is going to get done about the defense though, Rachunek needs to go period. He isn't a NHL caliber defenseman anymore & although Girardi and Pock are young and may/may not have a future ahead of them I have to wonder when the selection of Marc Stall will bear fruit. I have to hope that by the latest he makes the squad to start next season..... otherwise we may be looking at another Pavel Brendl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYHC GIANT Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 How's this for a spark....... on to round two................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaginCaucasian Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share Posted February 23, 2007 How's this for a spark....... on to round two................. Avery = Esa Tikkanen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheShocker Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 sean avery is the best thing that has happened to the rangers since gretzky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaginCaucasian Posted April 11, 2007 Author Share Posted April 11, 2007 sean avery is the best thing that has happened to the rangers since gretzky That's for damn sure, I think he was exactly what the doctor ordered for this team. Nothing could have worked out better, he has been the perfect teammate since arriving..... absolutley not one bad thing out of his mouth about management or linemates (kinda helps that he's on a winning team & in the playoffs). Opposing teams are really going to hate to play against the Rangers in the playoffs because of guys like Avery, Callahan & Ortmeyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMessiah Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 sean avery is the best thing that has happened to the rangers since gretzky Since the Messiah :worshippy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now