Why Are They Picking On Poor Sean Avery?

The New York Rangers have had just about enough.  The team is speaking out, concerned that players and officials are not treating their super-pest fairly. 

“We’re starting to think that some folks in this league don’t like Sean Avery”, GM Glen Sather said after their afternoon loss against the Penguins Sunday.

“The thing that’s frustrating is two teams with the type of position we’re in at this time of year, I just hope we allow the teams to make the difference and to determine the result,” said Tortorella after the chippy, slower skating Rangers took twelve penalties.

As for Avery, Tortorella said:

“I’m the first one to say that Sean makes his own bed with some of the things that happened…I mean I’m the one who said he should never be allowed to play in the league again. But after Sather made getting this job conditional on taking Avery, I realized that he’s done his penance here.”

Torterella went on to say “All I want is, I hope he’s…you know…given another fair shake.  When he does something stupid on the ice, give him a penalty; if it warrants him getting kicked out the game, kick him out of the game; if it warrants kicking him out of the league, or having him face off with a couple of Dallas Stars in the alley then so be it”. 

Rangers MVP Henrik Lundqvist was also direct “It comes to a point where we’ll probably have to have a discussion with some guys about this. I think as goalie I am the one who should have this discussion.” 

Scott Gomez grimaced a cave man grimace and inserted “Sean never did anything to anybody.  Why are they hitting him?  Leave him alone!”  

Captain Chris Drury who is generally as cautious with his remarks as he is with his play added “I do think that Sean is a marked guy, and I have no idea why!”.  Drury emphasized “He's never been suspended for something on the ice. I mean this guy waved his stick like a moron in front of Brodeur and no suspension, he spewed out racial epithets at Laraque, and no suspension, mocked Jason Blake for having cancer, no suspension. You see my point…Sean has never paid a price through all of this, so why are they suddenly picking on him now?".

The beleaguered Rangers take on the New Jersey Devils Monday with their playoff hopes teetering despite the poor play of Montreal and Florida. One can only hope they leave poor Sean Avery alone.