Sean Avery: The good and the bad of the NHL's best agitator

We all know who Sean Avery is. We all know how Sean Avery plays, and we all know how Avery CAN play. When Avery is playing at his best of his abilities he can be one of the most effective players on the ice. Do you recall the game against the Dallas Stars early last season? He was the most effective player that game and he proved that he has a lot of talent when he plays at his best. When acquiring Sean Avery, you have to know what you’re getting into. Like I said Sean Avery has talent, and has proven that he can use it. But when Avery goes Loco, it becomes a real problem for him and the team for whom he is playing for. So here is a slide-show of a few pros and cons of Sean Avery.

Pro- When he’s hot, he’s hot!

As I said in the intro, Avery has what it takes to be a great player. Throughout the season Avery had his good games, and he had his bad games. A good game usually followed with one or two more (in a row), but a bad game usually followed with…

Con- When he’s cold, he’s cold!

…Well, a bad game usually followed with many more bad games. While Avery could very easily be a very effective player, he could also be an amazingly bad player as well. When he goes on a slump it’s pretty hard for him to get off it. But when he does, he usually becomes a very effective player all over again.

Pro- He agitates the heck out of opposing super-stars/ stands up for ours

The fondest memory I have of him doing this, is against the Devils this past season. He annoyed Kovalsuck to the point that the two got into a small battle, and sat both of them in the sin bin for the remainder of the game. He was a huge help that night, in the Rangers 3-1 victory over NJ.
He also sticks up for players like Marian Gaborik. I’m not going into details, but I will give small hint, Flyers/Carcillo. After that fight between our superstar, and the Flyers, well nothing, both Sean Avery and Aaron Voros got cracks at him later in season. I know that Avery got him good, but I don’t recall how well Voros did against him. I’m guessing he did well? But the point is that Avery will annoy other stars, and stick up for the Rangers. Very key part to his game.

Con- He takes stupid penalties

This must be one of the worst parts to his game. Sometimes he just loses control of what’s going on on the ice, and decides to take a terrible penalty. Well, not decides, but more-less does take a stupid penalty. That penalty will put him in the box, and the opposing teams will most likely wind-up with another goal, well if we are talking about last season’s PK under Tortorella.

Pro- Brings a lot of character/energy to the line-up

Probably the most energetic player on the Rangers, you can make a fight for others such as Callahan, but going back to Avery, being energetic is another key part to his game. He enjoys flying around the ice slamming into other player’s non-stop; it’s just part of his game. It also usually brings the Players, and Fans into the game, which is obviously helpful.

Con- He can take the energy out of the game, just as easily into the game

Like I said before, he brings lots of energy to the game/line-up. But sometimes he, by taking stupid penalties, he can bring the energy right out of the game, badly hurting the team and fans. But mostly the team. Whether the Rangers are winning by two, tied, or losing by one, Avery can bring the momentum, and damage the momentum just as easily.