Rangers Resign Last Piece Avery

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 5^th 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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Cullen Is Safe For Now

One week ago it looked like the Rangers were on the verge of trading center Matt Cullen in order to free up cap-space.

Last week it was reported that the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes were close to a deal which would send the third line center back to Carolina. A move which would have benefited both teams as the Rangers needed more salary cap flexibility and the Canes needed more depth up the middle.

Now a week later it looks like the Rangers have cooled their quest at cap-room. The difference is all-star defenseman Sheldon Souray has signed on with the Edmonton Oilers leaving no first-pair defensemen left on the free-agent market.

Since Souray has been taken off the market trade talks for Cullen between the Rangers and Hurricanes have broken down. "I would have thought that this would have been brought to a head this week, but it's a tricky process and it hasn't," Hurricane’s GM Jim Rutherford told the Raleigh News & Observer.

The Rangers may still attempt at adding a top-of-the-line defenseman in order to fill what they view as their last hole, but with the free-agent market now picked clean there is less of a rush.

Another option which may come up in the next couple of weeks is a possible deal with the Phoenix Coyotes for defenseman Ed Jovanovski. The Coyotes feel like they are in a position to deal with a lot of depth at the defense position. However Jovanovski does have a no-trade clause in his contract and would have to approve a deal to whichever team gets him.

Jovanovski will earn $7 million next year and $6 million over the next three seasons he is under contract so the Rangers will still have to unload salary to make a move. Besides Cullen two major contracts the Rangers have which are likely to be dealt are Paul Mara and Marek Malik, but if Phoenix is looking to unload a defenseman they will probably not be too interested in either.

The Rangers have about $3 million left under the cap of $50.3 million set by the NHL. That amount is expected to be filled by yet unsigned restricted free-agents Sean Avery and Marcel Hossa.

As always you can read my work at the Hot Stove New York

Oilers and Souray Reach Deal

Sheldon Souray the defenseman formally of the Montreal Canadians signed with the Edmonton Oilers today according to TSN of Canada. Terms were not yet disclosed.

This is big news for New Yorkers as the two-time all-star was rumored to be going to all three local teams.

The Rangers who are near the salary cap have been rumored to be attempting to free up space all week long in order to add Souray. As of this morning Carolina and New York newspapers have been reporting a move which would send Matt Cullen back to Carolina in order to free up space as a near done deal. It will be interesting to see if a move is made now that the Oilers have grabbed the point-man. In addition to rumors of the Rangers attempting to move Cullen there has been speculation they will try to dump either Marek Malik or Paul Mara as well. They are still looking for an impact blue-liner.

The Islanders viewed Sheldon Souray as a missing piece to getting back to the playoffs. A task which could be out of reach since their retooling started with the buy-out of Alexei Yashin and since things have not exactly gone to plan. The Islanders lost offensive defenseman Tom Poti to Washington this summer and will need to replace his points.

The Devils seemed to be the most obvious of the three as they need an impact blue-liner after unexpectedly losing Brian Rafalski to the Detroit Red Wings. Souray was drafted by the Devils in 1994 and played there for 3 years until he was traded for Vladimir Malakhov. The thought of bringing Souray back was attractive although he does not quite fit into their defensive system.

Souray set career highs in goals and assists last year with 26 goals and 38 assists. He is known for his searing shot from the blue-line and his ability to quarterback a power play. He had 48 points on the power play last season another career high and his 19 power play goals are a NHL record for defenseman.