A-Very Risky Proposition
(Photo Credit: Hartford Courant)
The Circus Comes to NYC in April, but it could be coming to MSG early this season
Sloppy seconds weren’t Gary Bettman’s thing, but apparently Glen Sather doesn’t mind them all. The Ranger general manager allowed the Dallas Stars to assign Sean Avery to his AHL affiliate in Hartford Tuesday, seemingly the first step towards Avery rejoining the Rangers.
We could applaud Sather for providing Avery an opportunity to revive his career, but there is more than altruism at play here. Sather thinks Avery can help his floundering team. But why? The last thing a team that has been outscored 13-2 over its last two games needs is a visit from the Avery circus.
The Rangers are in real trouble of missing the playoffs after earning a single point over their last five outings. They are sixth in the Eastern Conference (going into Wednesday night), but only six points better than 10th-placed Pittsburgh. They need a top-line center, some wingers who can actually finish a play, or a blueline upgrade. They do not need to answer question after question about Avery.
And they certainly do not need to be part of Avery’s next misstep, which will happen. The NHL and NHLPA’s behavioral modification program is probably helpful, but three months isn’t likely enough time to “fix” all the issues that led the Stars to basically throw Avery overboard after his “sloppy second” remarks. As Mike Modano, Marty Turco and others let us know in the aftermath of those comments, Avery had worn out his welcome in that locker room long before dissing Elisha Cuthbert.
Now Glen Sather is contemplating inviting Avery back into a locker room that apparently did not want him in the first place. The Rangers hardly fought for Avery last summer in free agency, presumably because someone whispered in Sather’s ear that he was not worth the trouble. Now he is because the team cannot score enough goals to support Henrik Lundqvist?
And let’s not forget that claiming Avery off re-entry waivers puts his Stars contract on your books. Yes, Dallas would pay half the remaining salary, but there are three years left on the deal. Three years is a long time to cross your fingers that Avery behaves.
This is not to say Avery should be avoided at all costs. He deserves to be an NHL player again. But the smart course of action for a team is letting Avery finish this season in the minors, proving he can act properly for a longer stretch of time. Then let the Stars buy him out in the offseason and sign him to a safer contract for your organization.
Ranger fans should be hoping Glen Sather is smarter than we think he is.
* * *
The Shootout…We still need the Sharks to have playoff success to erase our doubts about them, but Tuesday night’s win in Boston may be a sign of good things to come. A four-goal third period on national television in a rather hostile setting is a very nice W for Todd McLellan…
As A-Roid rage sweeps through Major League Baseball, let’s take a moment to applaud the lack of such controversies in the NHL. Credit goes to all involved: the Commissioner’s office, the Players’ Association and the players themselves – assuming they’re not all just taking undetectable performance-enhancing drugs…
Smart move by the Blues to lockup Andy McDonald earlier this week for four years and $18.8 million. That is a lot of money for a 31-year-old center who’s never had more than 85 points in a season. And who is coming off a broken ankle. But McDonald has 54 points in 65 games in Saint Louis, and this young team can use his veteran leadership…
And how about those Los Angeles Kings? They continue to make us look bad for counting them out in our recent playoff predictions. The Kings have won seven of eight games, including a 4-1 East Coast road trip.
As always, any comments, questions, etc. go to boguschhockey@gmail.com
ACTION FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE...
-The New York Rangers (30-20-5) snapped a five game losing streak thanks to a big night from winger Ryan Callahan (1G, 1A, SO GW goal) and center Lauri Korpikoski (1G, 1A) in the 5-4 Shootout win over the Capitals (34-16-5). The Rangers improved to 9-3 in shootouts this season and managed to avoid a season sweep by Washington. D Mike Green scored two goals and tied Mike O'Connell's record for defenseman of consecutive games with a goal with 7.
-Devils (35-17-3) LW Zach Parise scored twice (once on the PP) and assisted on New Jersey's other two goals in a 4-2 win over the Islanders (16-32-6). Jamie Langenbrunner also had two goals and D Paul Martin chipped in with three assists. This was the Devils 5th straight win over the Islanders.
-G Nikolai Khabibulin made 36 saves to lead the Blackhawks (30-14-8) past the Thrashers (19-32-5) 3-1. Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews each scored power play goals in the 1st period for Chicago's 6th win in their past 8 games. Atlanta has now lost four straight at home.
-Rookie Head Coach Cory Clouston won his 2nd straight game as Ottawa's bench boss as the Senators (19-25-8) beat the Sabres (28-21-6) 3-1. Jason Spezza (PPG), Shean Donovan, and Daniel Alfredsson (PPG) each scored for Ottawa and G Bill Elliott made 31 saves in the win.
-Sharks goalie Brian Boucher made 35 saves, but he would fall one short in the shootout as Sidney Crosby scored the SO winner in the Penguins (27-24-5) 2-1 win over San Jose (37-7-8). Bill Thomas scored the lone goal for the Pens while Joe Pavelski scored his 14th of the season for San Jose. Penguins G Marc-Andre Fleury made 36 saves in the win.
-Ryan Smith scored twice (once on the power play), but it wouldn't enough as the Wild (28-22-3) beat the Avalanche (25-29-1) 3-2 on a late one-timer goal from Antti Miettinen. Owen Nolan and Pierre-Marc Bouchard scored the other Wild goals as Minnesota has now won five of their past seven. Colorado is 6-13-0 in their last 19.
-Coyotes (25-5-5) G Ilya Bryzgalov made 33 saves for his eighth career shutout to stop the red-hot Stars (26-20-7) 1-0. Enver Lisin scored the games lone goal early in the 2nd period as the Coyotes have now won four straight regulation games at Dallas. The Stars lost for just the second time in their last fourteen home games (11-2-1)
-Ales Hemsky, Dustin Penner, Andrew Cogliano and Kyle Brodziak each had a goal and an assist and Sam Gagner, Zack Stortini and Liam Reddox also scored to help the Oilers (27-23-4) snap a two-game skid and tie Vancouver for eighth place in the Western Conference with a 7-2 win over Montreal (29-20-6). Edmonton defenseman Denis Grebeshkov had to be helped off the ice early in the second after being run feet-first into the boards by Tomas Plekanec. Grebeshkov didn't return. The game was the 3,000th road game in Montreal franchise history.
-Ducks D Scott Niedermayer scored 55 seconds in to overtime to give Anaheim (28-24-5) a 3-2 win over Calgary (31-18-5). It was his second goal of the game. Duck C Brendan Morrison scored the tying goal early in the 3rd period. Todd Bertuzzi and Curtis Glencross scored the two goals for the Flames as they dropped to 1-13-1 in their last 15 visits to Anaheim. Calgary C Craig Conroy played in his 900th career game.
OTHER HEADLINES
-Pittsburgh Penguins D Sergei Gonchar has been cleared to play after missing the season to date with a dislocated left shoulder. According to Sam Rosen on the Rangers broadcast last night, all indications point to a Saturday return to the line-up in Toronto. "I will take it day by day," Gonchar said following the Penguins' morning skate.Gonchar was injured on a hit by Tampa Bay's David Koci in the Penguins' first preseason game Sept. 20. It was originally thought he would be out until late February or early March. A four-time all-star, Gonchar finished second in scoring among defensemen for the second successive season with 12 goals and 53 assists for 65 points in 2007-'08. He also was second among defencemen in playoff scoring with 14 points. Going into this season, the 34-year-old Gonchar's streak of eight consecutive seasons with 50 or more points was tops in the league among defencemen.
-Center Daniel Briere practiced with the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, the first time the cener has worked out with teammates since having groin surgery three weeks ago."There's still lots of pain and a lot of discomfort, depending on what I do," Briere said. "But just from skating this past weekend (by himself) to today was way better. I was able to do a little bit more with the puck and shoot a little harder and skate a little harder." Briere hopes to return by Feb. 24, for a game against Washington. Briere also had surgery in late October to repair a torn abdominal muscle. He injured his groin against Tampa Bay on Dec. 2, his last game with the Flyers, and had surgery Jan. 22. Briere has five goals and nine points in nine games this season. Last season, he had 31 goals and 41 assists.
-Canadiens legend Guy LaFleur will stand trial for obstruction of justice:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=266660&lid=sublink010&lpos=headlines_nhl
RUMOR MILL
-Oilers power forward Dustin Penner's name is coming up in trade rumors. No word on what teams yet.
-Montreal NEEDS to make a move soon. Still the same names with Vinny Lecavalier and Marian Gaborik, but now Keith Tkachuk's name is starting to surface.
-The Rangers are quietly shopping Michal Rozsival. Tampa and Buffalo are the two interested teams so far.
-It's no secret the Penguins need help, and Martin St. Louis is one name that is coming up. We've heard Ilya Kovalchuk would be an option, too (despite Thrashers GM Don Waddel insisting he won't be dealing him) and if that were to happen, it looks like Jordan Staal would be the centerpiece heading back.
-The Canucks need to make a shake up with their bad slump as of late. It looks like the Devils would be a partner in a swap of D Mattias Ohlund heading to Newark for winger Brian Gionta. Another suitor would be the Rangers, sending C Brandon Dubinsky for D Kevin Bieksa.
The Circus Comes to NYC in April, but it could be coming to MSG early this season
Sloppy seconds weren’t Gary Bettman’s thing, but apparently Glen Sather doesn’t mind them all. The Ranger general manager allowed the Dallas Stars to assign Sean Avery to his AHL affiliate in Hartford Tuesday, seemingly the first step towards Avery rejoining the Rangers.
We could applaud Sather for providing Avery an opportunity to revive his career, but there is more than altruism at play here. Sather thinks Avery can help his floundering team. But why? The last thing a team that has been outscored 13-2 over its last two games needs is a visit from the Avery circus.
The Rangers are in real trouble of missing the playoffs after earning a single point over their last five outings. They are sixth in the Eastern Conference (going into Wednesday night), but only six points better than 10th-placed Pittsburgh. They need a top-line center, some wingers who can actually finish a play, or a blueline upgrade. They do not need to answer question after question about Avery.
And they certainly do not need to be part of Avery’s next misstep, which will happen. The NHL and NHLPA’s behavioral modification program is probably helpful, but three months isn’t likely enough time to “fix” all the issues that led the Stars to basically throw Avery overboard after his “sloppy second” remarks. As Mike Modano, Marty Turco and others let us know in the aftermath of those comments, Avery had worn out his welcome in that locker room long before dissing Elisha Cuthbert.
Now Glen Sather is contemplating inviting Avery back into a locker room that apparently did not want him in the first place. The Rangers hardly fought for Avery last summer in free agency, presumably because someone whispered in Sather’s ear that he was not worth the trouble. Now he is because the team cannot score enough goals to support Henrik Lundqvist?
And let’s not forget that claiming Avery off re-entry waivers puts his Stars contract on your books. Yes, Dallas would pay half the remaining salary, but there are three years left on the deal. Three years is a long time to cross your fingers that Avery behaves.
This is not to say Avery should be avoided at all costs. He deserves to be an NHL player again. But the smart course of action for a team is letting Avery finish this season in the minors, proving he can act properly for a longer stretch of time. Then let the Stars buy him out in the offseason and sign him to a safer contract for your organization.
Ranger fans should be hoping Glen Sather is smarter than we think he is.
* * *
The Shootout…We still need the Sharks to have playoff success to erase our doubts about them, but Tuesday night’s win in Boston may be a sign of good things to come. A four-goal third period on national television in a rather hostile setting is a very nice W for Todd McLellan…
As A-Roid rage sweeps through Major League Baseball, let’s take a moment to applaud the lack of such controversies in the NHL. Credit goes to all involved: the Commissioner’s office, the Players’ Association and the players themselves – assuming they’re not all just taking undetectable performance-enhancing drugs…
Smart move by the Blues to lockup Andy McDonald earlier this week for four years and $18.8 million. That is a lot of money for a 31-year-old center who’s never had more than 85 points in a season. And who is coming off a broken ankle. But McDonald has 54 points in 65 games in Saint Louis, and this young team can use his veteran leadership…
And how about those Los Angeles Kings? They continue to make us look bad for counting them out in our recent playoff predictions. The Kings have won seven of eight games, including a 4-1 East Coast road trip.
As always, any comments, questions, etc. go to boguschhockey@gmail.com
ACTION FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE...
-The New York Rangers (30-20-5) snapped a five game losing streak thanks to a big night from winger Ryan Callahan (1G, 1A, SO GW goal) and center Lauri Korpikoski (1G, 1A) in the 5-4 Shootout win over the Capitals (34-16-5). The Rangers improved to 9-3 in shootouts this season and managed to avoid a season sweep by Washington. D Mike Green scored two goals and tied Mike O'Connell's record for defenseman of consecutive games with a goal with 7.
-Devils (35-17-3) LW Zach Parise scored twice (once on the PP) and assisted on New Jersey's other two goals in a 4-2 win over the Islanders (16-32-6). Jamie Langenbrunner also had two goals and D Paul Martin chipped in with three assists. This was the Devils 5th straight win over the Islanders.
-G Nikolai Khabibulin made 36 saves to lead the Blackhawks (30-14-8) past the Thrashers (19-32-5) 3-1. Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews each scored power play goals in the 1st period for Chicago's 6th win in their past 8 games. Atlanta has now lost four straight at home.
-Rookie Head Coach Cory Clouston won his 2nd straight game as Ottawa's bench boss as the Senators (19-25-8) beat the Sabres (28-21-6) 3-1. Jason Spezza (PPG), Shean Donovan, and Daniel Alfredsson (PPG) each scored for Ottawa and G Bill Elliott made 31 saves in the win.
-Sharks goalie Brian Boucher made 35 saves, but he would fall one short in the shootout as Sidney Crosby scored the SO winner in the Penguins (27-24-5) 2-1 win over San Jose (37-7-8). Bill Thomas scored the lone goal for the Pens while Joe Pavelski scored his 14th of the season for San Jose. Penguins G Marc-Andre Fleury made 36 saves in the win.
-Ryan Smith scored twice (once on the power play), but it wouldn't enough as the Wild (28-22-3) beat the Avalanche (25-29-1) 3-2 on a late one-timer goal from Antti Miettinen. Owen Nolan and Pierre-Marc Bouchard scored the other Wild goals as Minnesota has now won five of their past seven. Colorado is 6-13-0 in their last 19.
-Coyotes (25-5-5) G Ilya Bryzgalov made 33 saves for his eighth career shutout to stop the red-hot Stars (26-20-7) 1-0. Enver Lisin scored the games lone goal early in the 2nd period as the Coyotes have now won four straight regulation games at Dallas. The Stars lost for just the second time in their last fourteen home games (11-2-1)
-Ales Hemsky, Dustin Penner, Andrew Cogliano and Kyle Brodziak each had a goal and an assist and Sam Gagner, Zack Stortini and Liam Reddox also scored to help the Oilers (27-23-4) snap a two-game skid and tie Vancouver for eighth place in the Western Conference with a 7-2 win over Montreal (29-20-6). Edmonton defenseman Denis Grebeshkov had to be helped off the ice early in the second after being run feet-first into the boards by Tomas Plekanec. Grebeshkov didn't return. The game was the 3,000th road game in Montreal franchise history.
-Ducks D Scott Niedermayer scored 55 seconds in to overtime to give Anaheim (28-24-5) a 3-2 win over Calgary (31-18-5). It was his second goal of the game. Duck C Brendan Morrison scored the tying goal early in the 3rd period. Todd Bertuzzi and Curtis Glencross scored the two goals for the Flames as they dropped to 1-13-1 in their last 15 visits to Anaheim. Calgary C Craig Conroy played in his 900th career game.
OTHER HEADLINES
-Pittsburgh Penguins D Sergei Gonchar has been cleared to play after missing the season to date with a dislocated left shoulder. According to Sam Rosen on the Rangers broadcast last night, all indications point to a Saturday return to the line-up in Toronto. "I will take it day by day," Gonchar said following the Penguins' morning skate.Gonchar was injured on a hit by Tampa Bay's David Koci in the Penguins' first preseason game Sept. 20. It was originally thought he would be out until late February or early March. A four-time all-star, Gonchar finished second in scoring among defensemen for the second successive season with 12 goals and 53 assists for 65 points in 2007-'08. He also was second among defencemen in playoff scoring with 14 points. Going into this season, the 34-year-old Gonchar's streak of eight consecutive seasons with 50 or more points was tops in the league among defencemen.
-Center Daniel Briere practiced with the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, the first time the cener has worked out with teammates since having groin surgery three weeks ago."There's still lots of pain and a lot of discomfort, depending on what I do," Briere said. "But just from skating this past weekend (by himself) to today was way better. I was able to do a little bit more with the puck and shoot a little harder and skate a little harder." Briere hopes to return by Feb. 24, for a game against Washington. Briere also had surgery in late October to repair a torn abdominal muscle. He injured his groin against Tampa Bay on Dec. 2, his last game with the Flyers, and had surgery Jan. 22. Briere has five goals and nine points in nine games this season. Last season, he had 31 goals and 41 assists.
-Canadiens legend Guy LaFleur will stand trial for obstruction of justice:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=266660&lid=sublink010&lpos=headlines_nhl
RUMOR MILL
-Oilers power forward Dustin Penner's name is coming up in trade rumors. No word on what teams yet.
-Montreal NEEDS to make a move soon. Still the same names with Vinny Lecavalier and Marian Gaborik, but now Keith Tkachuk's name is starting to surface.
-The Rangers are quietly shopping Michal Rozsival. Tampa and Buffalo are the two interested teams so far.
-It's no secret the Penguins need help, and Martin St. Louis is one name that is coming up. We've heard Ilya Kovalchuk would be an option, too (despite Thrashers GM Don Waddel insisting he won't be dealing him) and if that were to happen, it looks like Jordan Staal would be the centerpiece heading back.
-The Canucks need to make a shake up with their bad slump as of late. It looks like the Devils would be a partner in a swap of D Mattias Ohlund heading to Newark for winger Brian Gionta. Another suitor would be the Rangers, sending C Brandon Dubinsky for D Kevin Bieksa.
TONIGHTS ACTION:
%Florida @ Carolina - 7PM
Ottawa @ Philadelphia - 7PM
Minnesota @ Detroit - 7:30PM
Toronto @ Tampa Bay - 7:30PM
St. Louis @ Nashville - 8PM
Vancouver @ Phoenix - 9PM
Calgary @ Los Angeles - 10:30PM
% = Game of the Night
^All Times are Eastern
*My weekly power rankings comes out Mondays
~Dropping the Gloves with Andrew Bogusch comes out on Thursdays
TO EMAIL FTS, EMAIL FROMTHESLOT@GMAIL.COM
%Florida @ Carolina - 7PM
Ottawa @ Philadelphia - 7PM
Minnesota @ Detroit - 7:30PM
Toronto @ Tampa Bay - 7:30PM
St. Louis @ Nashville - 8PM
Vancouver @ Phoenix - 9PM
Calgary @ Los Angeles - 10:30PM
% = Game of the Night
^All Times are Eastern
*My weekly power rankings comes out Mondays
~Dropping the Gloves with Andrew Bogusch comes out on Thursdays
TO EMAIL FTS, EMAIL FROMTHESLOT@GMAIL.COM
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