The New York Rangers announced today that fiery forward Sean Avery will be returning next season after being awarded $1.9 million today in an arbitration hearing held on Tuesday according to the team’s website.
At the arbitration hearing on Tuesday Avery asked for $2.6 million and the Rangers countered with $1.3 million. He was awarded $1.9 million this morning and it did not take long for the team to accept that figure according to ESPN.
"We are pleased to have Sean under contract and are looking forward to him returning with the same passion and enthusiasm he brought to our team last year," said GM Glen Sather in the team's press release.
Sather also contradicted a statement he made the other day when he called Avery a, “detriment to the team,” by today issuing a totally different statement. "He is a terrific competitor, who we expect to play a significant role in a successful season,” according to the press release.
Pissing off such an important piece of your team may sound brainless, but remember hockey is not just a sport it is also a business and the Rangers are dangerously close to the salary cap after signing centers Chris Drury and Scott Gomez this offseason. The Rangers have always acknowledged how important it was to resign Avery and even shipped Matt Cullen back to Carolina to ensure they would have enough cap space for him.
After being acquired last February 5th from Los Angeles for Jason Ward and two prospects Avery played in 29 games and registered 20 points. The arrival of Avery was the turning point of the Rangers season as the team went 17-6-6 after his arrival.
Getting Avery resigned means the Rangers now have all of their restricted free-agents signed and the team is set for its first two lines. Avery will probably play wing on the second line along with Brendan Shanahan and Chris Drury.
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