Sean Avery Should Win The Hart Trophy ... But He Won't

Sean Avery celebrated his birthday this week by setting up the winning goal to clinch the New York Rangers place in the Stanley Cup playoffs and by scoring the tying goal in the Rangers final game of the season, a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Rangers win spoiled the Flyers attempt to reach 100 points and get home ice for their playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, which could mean the death of the Flyers in the playoffs.

Is that what he wanted for his birthday? How about a Hart Trophy?

I'm serious!

Alexander Ovechkin appears to be all set to win the Hart over Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, but how about Sean Avery?

The Hart Trophy is awarded to the player who is the most valuable to his team...hmmmm.

In the Rangers last game, their team captain, Chris Drury was unable to play due to an upper-body injury.

Brandon Dubinsky took Drury's place and scored two goals. Blair Betts took Dubinsky's place and scored the winning goal. And Avery got the game-tying goal.

It makes you wonder: What if the Rangers missed Avery for that game, instead of Drury? Who would have taken his place?

What happened to the Rangers last year when Avery got injured in the second round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins? Some say Avery played his heart out, others say he was the spine of the team, and doctors said he played with a lacerated spleen.

And what if Avery had not rejoined the Rangers just before the NHL Trade Deadline?

What if the Rangers replaced their old coach with John Tortorella and traded for Nik Antropov and Derek Morris, but did not add Avery to the lineup?

The Rangers were called 'vanilla' before the changes. Avery was the only so-called villain they added.

He was expected to add grit, toughness, and swagger, and he also added scoring. He turned into a leader on the first line.

His reentry into the NHL was tough. Referees appeared to look the other way while just about every hockey player on the teams the Rangers faced lined up to take a run at him.

The enforcers led the way. He fought off Cal Clutterbuck, who currently leads the NHL in hits and penalties, and won.

Avery says there is a devil on his shoulder, that he has to keep under control, but Rangers writer Stan Fischler says Avery plays like a demon on offense and defense.

His five goals and seven assists in 19 games as a Ranger show he is a very good addition to the Rangers. The number of penalties he has drawn, hits he has taken, and the mysterious "Avery Effect", make him a star player with the team.

Rangers fans at Madison Square Garden have made him a favourite, applauding his every move, and chanting his name again and again.

NBC followed him with their starcam during the Game of the Week, when he scored two goals and was named the first star of the game.

He plays with such passion and intensity he is a threat to get a Gordie Howe Hat Trick every game.

In the minor hockey association where Sean Avery started his hockey career, in Pickering, they now pick the player who plays with the most heart in each game.
That's how the NHL should do it and that's why Avery should win the Hart Trophy this year.