Minutes away from the puck drop here at the former Hartford Civic Center. Sean Avery will play for the first time since he was suspended for remarks he made on Dec. 2.
Based on warmups, it looks like he's skating with center Greg Moore and Tomas Zaborsky, though his teammates thought he might play on Artem Anisimov's top line with P.A. Parenteau. We're told we'll have a chance to talk to Avery after the game. I greeted him briefly outside the Wolf Pack dressing room, shook his hand, wished him luck. Teammate Dale Weise said Avery has done a great job of blending into the dressing room, telling his teammates he doesn't want the attention. Weise also said Avery has taken to giving some of the younger players tips and advice on tactical on-ice stuff.
They don't do time on ice in the AHL but we'll try to keep track of how many shifts Avery skates and with who. I'll post updates if anything noteworthy happens and then after the game.
By the way, driving up to Hartford this afternoon, yet another example of how marginalized the Islanders are. I couldn't get the Islanders game against the Flyers on the radio, yet I could get a broadcast of the Passaic County boys basketball tournament.
Finally, let me just repeat, I'm pumped to be covering a game including the Manitoba Moose, just because I love the name. And, yes, I have a Nigel Dawes bobblehead doll in hand. Can't wait to show it to him. And then have him fling it back at me.
UPDATE, 3:29 First period: Avery's first shift lasted 1:05, starting at 1:33 and going to 2:38. He started with Anisimov and Parenteau and it switched to Moore and Zaborsky. He gave a solid shoulder check to Mantioba's Shaun Heshka.
UPDATE, 4:39 First period: Avery started his second shift skating into the Moose's end to join Parenteau and Anisimov. He went behind the goal line and there was contact with Manitoba's Nathan McIver, leading to pushing and shoving between Avery and McIver. Before Avery could fight, Hartford's Jared Nightingale jumped in and those two dropped the gloves.
UPDATE, 17:27 First period: On his seventh shift, Avery makes a great between the legs pass to Parenteau cutting to the left post. Manitoba goalie Karl Goehring makes a pad save there.
AFTER FIRST PERIOD: Avery took one shot and played seven shifts in the first period for approximately five minutes (AHL doesn't keep time on ice so we're attempting to do it ourselves), including 53 seconds on the power play at the end of the period. He split his time between Anisimov-Parenteau and Moore-Zaborsky, though he was also out for one shift with Patrick Rissmiller (remember him?) and Dale Weise.
UPDATE, 2:19 Second period: Avery's first shift of the second period was 54 seconds on the penalty kill.
UPDATE, 7:12 Second period: Avery's third shift of the period is also on the penalty kill, this one for 33 seconds.
UPDATE, 11:40 Second period: On his fourth shift, Avery again nearly gets an assist, finding Dale Weise cutting through the slot to the net from the left corner.
UPDATE, 13:53 Second period: Avery's fifth shift of the period, again on the penalty kill, ends with him on the ice as Alexandre Bolduc scores on the power play for a 2-0 Manitoba lead. Still, Avery's PK performance backs up what Dale Weise said before the game when he described how helpful Avery has been in instructing the younger Wolf Pack players. On the PK, you could definitely see Avery directing his teammates on positioning and, skating up ice, letting D Michael Sauer know what could have been done better on an up-ice rush.
UPDATE, 17:34 Second period: Avery joins scrum behind Manitoba goal after a shot on Moose goalie Karl Goehring after a whistle for offsides. Avery winds up pushing and shoving, then jawing but nothing out of control.
AFTER SECOND PERIOD: Six shifts for just under six minutes for Avery. That includes four turns on the penalty kill, something he did not do with the Rangers last season.
UPDATE, 1:21 Third period: Wicked wrist shot from Avery in the left faceoff circle, smothered by Manitoba goalie Karl Goehring.
UPDATE, 9:11 Third period: Attendance here at the former Civic Center is 5,899, probably double what it would be normally.
UPDATE, 18:40 Third period: Game should be over, Moose go up 3-1. Will check back later with a summary of Avery's comments.
POST-GAME COMMENTS: Avery played 18 shifts with an approximate ice time of 16 minutes. That included four penalty kills and one power play. He took three shots. My impression: He's just on a different level as a hockey player than those who play in the AHL. His puck handling was terrific, his passing was good and he looked good on that wrist shot in the third period. Once he gets a few games under his belt, there's no reason he shouldn't be playing in the NHL. And, as you'll see below, he believes he can still be the Grate One.
On the game: "I felt good. Actually, I felt better than expected. My legs felt good. It was a different game. The hardest part was getting adjusted to the speed. Mentally and physically I felt good.
On his pre-game emotions: "Yeah, I was a little nervous. It's been a long time since I played in this league. It's been a long time since I played. The biggest thing was it felt good to be playing."
On the trash-talking during the game: "A couple of guys said something. Such as? Nothing that I'd probably repeat. It was typical guy stuff, nothing that got me going. Some of the older guys (Mike Keane, Jason Krog, both ex-Rangers) said good look with everything."
On whether he expects younger players to try to make a name for themselves by coming after him: "Certainly, you're going to expect that. Because that's what I'd do. If you're trying to make a name for yourself and get to the next level, what better way."
On whether he can still be an agitator on ice if he's a different (calmer) person off the ice: "Even if it's a little different, it's still a lot. I'm just happy I was out there. It's fun to be a team atmosphere."
On whether he heard the fans chanting his name: "I didn't really hear everything. There was an eerie calmness when I got out there."
On what's next for him: "We have an off day tomorrow and practice Monday."
On his conditioning: "I was always a guy in good shape. It's not an issue."
On when/whether he'll be back in the NHL: "I think that's where I belong and that's what type of player I am."
On what hurts the most (the questioner obviously meant on his person, but Avery joked) "Breaking up with an ex-girlfriend."
Go Sean Go! Thanks for the live blog. Tell him we miss him!
Posted by: Sonia | February 14, 2009 at 07:37 PM
good stuff Gross, but you dont get a (-) for being on the ice for a goal against on the PK ;)
Posted by: Inferno | February 14, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Inferno,
You are correct, sir. My bad. Sometimes my fingers type without being connected to the brain.
Posted by: Andrew Gross | February 14, 2009 at 08:33 PM
Has Avery lost any of the grit in his game?
Posted by: Blueshirts | February 14, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Blueshirts,
He's been jawing some and not shying away from physical contact. Obviously this is his first game back so he's still knocking the rust off and I don't want to make any grand predictions, but on first glance I don't think his grit is an issue.
Posted by: Andrew Gross | February 14, 2009 at 09:16 PM
Great, Pittburgh will love having him ignite their playoff run whie the Rangers sink like a stone. Thanks for doing this, Andrew.
Posted by: Peter | February 14, 2009 at 09:19 PM
I am sure a lot of teams would like to have a guy like Avery but it's a risky move. It would be especially hard for Avery to fit in with guys like Crosby leading the team. Hopefully Avery will be back with the rangers soon.
Posted by: Blueshirts | February 14, 2009 at 09:26 PM
I think it's indicative of how bad this season has gotten that people are fired up about Avery. I have to admit-I've had a change of heart. I think I am frustrated enough with this team's play to allow Avery back and see what he has to offer. Like I said yesterday-I think the HOckey News crew got it right when they said the Rangers are an easy team to play against. I totally agree with that. With Avery out there pissing people off it could help a bit. I am all for it now-we'll see what happens....
Posted by: Keith | February 14, 2009 at 09:31 PM
I dont know, Pittsburgh was up2-0 on the leaves after one and gave up 6 straight goals tonight (that's actually called a "New York Ranger Special"). I think they'll take any fire they can get.
Posted by: Peter | February 14, 2009 at 09:43 PM
It isn't 100% that the Stars will recall Avery on Re-Entry waivers because if they buy him out they actually save MORE cap space ...
#1 if they recall him now they'll take a cap hit on half his salary which is right now off the books ...
#2 if they buy him out in the summer his cap hit is 1.3 million instead of 1.93 million ...
This is according to TSN ... so unless they had an agreement in place that they would recall him if the Rangers allowed them to use Hartford then what would be their incentive?
Posted by: Matty | February 14, 2009 at 10:17 PM
matty - except buyout is over twice remaining yrs of contract. so with 3 yrs left it would be the $ 1.3 mm you quoted - per yr for 6 yrs. the 1/2 waiver cap claim or the $ 1.9 mm per yr is over the remaining yrs of contract or 3 yrs. so in the buyout it translates to 2/3 his remaining salary and the 1/2 cap is exactly that 1/2 his remaining salary.
i also doubt we agreed to let him play in hartford forever. certainly not past this yr and probably less than that - in fact in time for playoff elibility (trade deadline in early march) would be the longest we'd agree to wait in my opinion. very likely the next week or 2 will tell the tale. and i'm guessing they'll go the 1/2 cap hit waiver claim route.
by the way it's based on percent of points available as to who can claim a player. so if team A is ahead of team B by 1 pt but has played 3 more games than team B, team A would actually get to pick 1st despite having the one more pt.
Posted by: LI Joe | February 14, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Bringing in Avery won't fix what's wrong with this team.
Sather and Renney are the anchors that are sinking the Rangers. Until they are gone (which may require that the Dolans sell the team) nothing will ever change.
Underachievement is the Sather/Renney legacy.
Posted by: rocketnyr | February 15, 2009 at 10:03 AM
wow i usually don't see so many comments here... unfortunately mine isn't avery related...
mike keane is playing in the minors??? is it on a two way deal like darren mccarty's was?
Posted by: Amos | February 15, 2009 at 10:53 AM