Stars, Penguins Must Kick Themselves As Avery Is First Star of The Game

The Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and a dozen other teams must be having second thoughts for sloppy decisions about signing Sean Avery.

Now, that he is scoring a goal a game and leading the New York Rangers into the playoffs.

After Sean Avery was selected first star of the game with two goals, a Gordie Howe hat-trick, an unofficial dime, drawing a couple of penalties, getting a few hits, and re-energizing his team, the Pittsburgh Penguins and several other teams must be kicking themselves for not claiming Sean Avery.

From re-entry waivers and getting him at half price from the Dallas Stars before the New York Rangers signed him up again, New York walked away with a good deal.

The Dallas Stars must be frothing at the bit.

The Pittsburgh Penguins could have taken Avery ahead of the Rangers when they had the chance.

Crosby with Avery on the wing would have turned both of them into much bigger scorers and points-getters.

The Dallas Stars are still blaming Avery for their problems. They call it The Avery Curse.

First they made him their scapegoat when the Stars and Avery got off to a slow start this year.

They called him a cancer in the locker room. He sat in the hall listening to alternative music on his iPod and texting on his BlackBerry instead of joining in whatever hockey players do in the locker room.

They could not stand the words he yelled at their opponents' fans or did his trash talking on TV.

When they dumped him and went on a winning spree they said it was, because they were free of Avery.

When Avery returned to the NHL with the Rangers, months later, the Stars started losing again. It was a coincidence, of course, but they blamed it on Avery and called it The Avery Curse.

First there was The Avery Rule for unsportsmanlike conduct and then there was The Avery Curse.

Meanwhile, Avery has had good luck with the Hartford Wolf Pack and in New York, he appears to have brought good luck to the Rangers.

It must have hurt Dallas when Avery was selected the first star of the game in a New York win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

His goals and his new role as first line inspirer instead of third line agitator must give them sleepless nights.

Brett Hull had egg on his face, they said, when the Stars sent Avery packing. It was the Stars' new co-GM Hull who was responsible for taking Avery from New York to Texas.

Now, Hull is looking golden again.

Maybe they misunderestimated him in Dallas.

It must hurt the Stars on payday, to think they are still paying half of Avery's salary, while he leads a different team into the playoffs, while their own playoff hopes diminish day by day.

Of course, this could be a blip or fluke or temporary insanity.

Avery was never a goal a game shooting star before.

I mean, it's not as though the Stars are going to pay him to play like this for the next three years, is it?

Oh! It is?

Sorry, Stars.