Sean Avery: New York Rangers Better off Without Troublemaking Agitator

The New York Rangers have been known over the last two years as the team with Sean Avery, and the talk that always surrounded the star was just too much to bear anymore.

News broke this morning when New York Post Rangers beat writer Larry Brooks reported on Twitter about the Rangers’ decision:

While this seems like a shock to many people, the writing has been on the wall since the Rangers organization forced Avery down the throat of head coach John Tortorella.

The two have butted heads in the past, and there was a feeling last season when Avery was benched for the latter games during the regular season and into the playoffs that he wouldn't be back.

Now that Avery is gone from the team, the Rangers have chosen to go in another direction, favoring Erik Christensen in the lineup as a low-maintenance replacement.

Avery's agent, Pat Morris, told Sporting News about what happens next for the controversial star:

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We’re now aware that it will be happening. Sean understands it, and will pursue whatever the options are once he is put on waivers, and clears or doesn’t clear.

"

There is no doubt that the New York Rangers will miss the presence he has on the ice and the defensive style he plays is more valuable than people give him credit for. People also forget he can score when he wants to as well, he just chooses not to.

The problem with Sean Avery, as it always has been and always will be, is that he just can’t keep his nose clean and that’s not what the Rangers want as they build towards a consistent playoff team.

The team has talented players like Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards, but it's guys like Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan that embody the hard work and teamwork that New York is trying to instill.

Avery had the power to bring the evolution of the team to a standstill and divide the locker room, and that’s something the organization felt they could do without.

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