Rangers-Maple Leafs: Will Sean Avery Be Back in Blue by Sunday?

With the NHL trade deadline looming, Sean Avery is the most likely roster tweak for the New York Rangers, according to Newsday.

Pressed against the salary cap, the Rangers can probably only tweak their roster, Steve Zipay reported for Newsday.

He also warned that Avery may be grabbed on recall waivers on a team below them in the standings.

Last season, at the trade deadline, the Rangers sent Al Montoya, a former first-round selection, and Marcel Hossa to Phoenix for Fredrik Sjostrom, David Leneveu, Josh Gratton, and a conditional draft pick. They also added Christian Backman from Columbus as a defenseman.

Avery is playing his way back to NHL shape with the Rangers affiliate in the AHL, the Hartford Wolf Pack. He has played two games to date and is up to some of his old tricks but says he is a changed man, after his NHL suspension.

The Rangers started the season strong but now they are fighting for a play-off position. They play back-to-backs this weekend, in Buffalo Saturday and against Toronto at home on Sunday.

Jim Kelley, writing in Sports Illustrated, doesn't give the Rangers much of a chance of reaching the playoffs this year. He called the team "inept", claiming the forwards are ineffective, the defense is incapable, and special teams are incompetent.

Kelly blames GM Glen Sather more than coach Tom Renney, but also singles out Chris Drury, who inherited the captaincy from the departed Jaromir Jagr, former Devil Scott Gomez, and Wade Reddeen, and their multi-year, multi-million dollar contracts.

He says Lundqvist is carrying the team on his shoulders but notes the impending arrival of Sean Avery is being touted in the New York press as an improvement.

The Sabres' star forward Thomas Vanek is sidelined by injury but they recently beat Toronto 4-1. No doubt, Darcy Tucker of the Toronto Maple Leafs would like to see Avery in the New York line-up by Sunday.

Tucker and Avery have been called the two most hated players in the NHL and they have fought a number of times. In his work-out video posted on Men's Vogue, Avery said he's still waiting for Tucker to beat him in an on-ice fight.