I'm not sure what there is to say that I haven't already ranted on Twitter. John Tortorella always hated Sean Avery and, with Sather's summer signings, finally had the opportunity to get rid of him and he used it.
That simple.
The nonsense about Erik Christensen getting the job because of his versatility is just that, nonsense. Yes, Christy can play center and wing, but he can also lose the puck at the lightest touch and not play defense. And show up for two, maybe three games a season. And be a supremely smug jerk in interviews and to fans. And not be Sean Avery.
The writing has been on the wall since Torts was hired but it still is sad that this day has come to pass. The head coach of a team should do everything he can to make the team better, to make it win games - not to placate his own ego and carry out a personal vendetta.
I, an avowed Avery supporter who has gone to bat for him before, fully admit that he didn't perform up to par last season - I gave him a C- in my report card - but he was still a valuable player for the team.
As I wrote in my Facts of Life:
The Rangers were 12-4-1 when he registered a point. ... Torts never gave him the chance to gain any chemistry with his teammates, bouncing him around the lineup. And the super pest was stupefyingly scratched for several games down the stretch and once during the playoffs (Torts clearly not learning his lesson from 2009).I truly hope that Sean is able to find another NHL job, just not in the Atlantic division. Perhaps there is a GM out there willing to look beyond the bad reputation and see a voracious forechecker, a guy who actually stands up for his teammates and a lightning fast skater. Off the ice he is also great for public relations as he is great with the fans and a charitable person.
Hopefully Avery can find someone who believes in his ability and puts him in a position to achieve, not someone who refuses to give him a fair shot. Best wishes to a good and loyal Blueshirt.
21 comments:
100% with you, I'm furious about this. I'll continue rooting for his success on his new team. Tortorella just shot himself in the foot.
Avery's only hope is the 24/7 producers.
And yes, I agree 100%, Torts needs to remove head from ass.
I would imagine we'll all be seeing him play many times this year. Unfortunately, it will be in a Flyers uniform. You heard it here first....
Only 1 tiny problem with your claims that Tortorella did him in.
Glen Sather is the person who sets the roster not John Tortorella. Tortorella may have a say in who he would like to have but in the end it is Sather who makes the call.
And emotions aside (since I am not a fan of Avery) name any 13th or 14th forward on a roster worth paying 2 million a season for?
The bottom line is going to be cap hits as Avery is a 1.9 mil while Christensen (who should also be waived) is a 925 G hit.
All this Tortorella hates Avery arguments loses value as if Tortorella was that vindictive then he would have gotten rid of Avery when he was first hired.
Avery played himself off the roster
Total BS... you just know he is going to end up killing us in the future.
You either love Avery or can't take him that's the way it is with him. I can understand why his fans are upset but I don't buy the argument that he was going to be a help on the ice this year. Christensen by the way won't be with this team for long anyway.
i'm a sean avery fan, and have been throughout his team on broadway.
but i'm not sure that this isn't the best move for the team. it's not about christensen, by any means. it's about the sean avery show, the distractions, the uneven play on the ice, etc.
the rangers have all the muscle they need to take on all comers. they have speed and skill aplenty, and grit to match.
a guy like avery has limited effectiveness, in any sport. my guess is that he'll go to europe for a stretch, and that an underperforming team will pick him up at the trade deadline hoping for an infusion of all the attributes that he can bring to the ice.
or maybe sean's days at the nhl level are over. tbd. but thx for the good times, 16.
I.... hate.... John.... Tortorella...
Jess - Tortorella told Sather what he believed he needs to create a championship team and he got it. That explains why the team threw away the youth movement and brought in Brad Richards. And don't you dare say they didn't just ditch the youth movement as not a single rookie will be on the opening night roster. Torts wanted Avery gone back then but Sather held his ground but now, with a renovated Garden to justify, he has to give in to the win-now demands.
Emotions aside, I don't believe Avery should be a 13th or 14th forward. He is faster than most anyone else on the roster, he is a pain in the ass to everyone else in the division and hr should have been given a shot to ride shotgun with the Slovakian Slacker. And if uneven play was a problem, then Gaborik would be gone too.
nah nah nah, NAH NAH NAH, hey hey,.........
Scotty well said, I am still a firm believer that Avery is the right fit on the Gaborik-Richards line. Terds is an egotistical douche, has always said no one is bigger than the team, but has always found a way to contradict himself. His reiteration of how "we have better players than Sean Avery," was just classless. I am sure he had a hard on that only Brad Richards could quell when saying repeating those lines. The truth is Avery may not be as effective as he was pre-sloppy seconds, but he still is and could be an important part to this team. It seems as though Terds never wanted to give him a chance. Hopefully he knows that the true Blueshirt fans are behind him. Watching what he did to Fatso in the '08 playoffs is the best modern memory I have of being a Ranger fan (was only a child when they won the cup).
Now I am not saying Sean Avery is Brian Leetch, or Jaromir Jagr, but the Rangers sure do have a way of unceremoniously letting some of their beloved players go, kind of makes you wonder if the management/coaches even know what it means to be a Ranger.
Anon: "classless," and "Sean Avery" in the same post is ironic...
No worries, dry your tears, Avery will take his Purse south and look great in the Orange and Black!
The other factor everyone keeps forgetting to mention about Avery is the entertainment factor. Many a night the limp Rangers are putting on another one of their uninspired efforts but at least you had Sean getting in someone's face and pulling their stick out of their hands across the benches.
I will really miss not seeing him on 24/7 too.
Scotty, start the poll now. I bet anything Avery winds up with the Islanders. Avery is only 31 so even if he rides out the year in Hartford he'll get picked up in 2013 for sure.
Right on, Scotty.
wow, what a pleasure reading this....
Ive been reading rangers report where those goons are so anti Avery and think totalretard is god's gift to coaching.
That self-centered, arrogant, clueless NOTcoach is just a disgrace.
Nice post Scotty! I'm so upset that Aves was dropped like that, he is my favorite player. He's a much better player than anyone gives him credit for. Great skater, hitter, passer, and agitator. He was great at sparking the team and standing up for teammates. Tortorella should have gave him a chance and not let personal reasons get in the way. Sean could have been GREAT on the top line with Richards and Gaborik. Ranger fans will miss him greatly. I wish him luck, wherever he plays, he deserves it. Avery rules!!!!
Well no more Fatso jokes....
Thanks for all the good times Sean, you will be missed...
Also, in his first game against his former team, #16 registered 4 points. How many did Gaby have against Minesotta? Not a real stat but shows something about heart..
Dennis is right. The Rangers have had many a listless night and It was always exciting to Avery play, you never knew what he was going to Do. Made the games he was in (when he was allowed to step on the ice) entertaining. That's lost now. He seemed to take pride in being a Ranger and living in the city. That cannot be said for most others. Tortorella has lost me, and I do hope he comes back in the East just for the entertainment value. Jess, I think you are wrong. I feel that a player only plays themselves off the roster when thy actually play. He was put in bad situations by Torts and he is not talented enough to look good playing Todd white and EC. He did look good with Gabby last year though
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