Sean Avery? Surely, You Don't Mean THAT Sean Avery?

by John Fischer on Mar 29, 2009 7:03 PM EDT in Devils Issues, Views & Analysis

According to Tom Gulitti and the linked article by his colleague Andrew Gross, the Devils aren't talking much about Sean Avery and the Rangers aren't even letting Avery speak to the media about this. Given the relative silence, I would like to point out something Avery-related that any reporters or anyone looking for, well, something to make out of this one.

You see, Monday's game will not be the only regular season game Sean Avery has laced them up against the Devils. Avery has faced Martin Brodeur and the Devils earlier this year when he was a Dallas Star. What did he do? Well, not much. Avery was largely a non-factor that night, as I originally wrote on the old ILWT:

The Devils, outside of David Clarkson for a few shifts, didn't focus solely on Sean Avery. And they didn't need to as Avery played the best game possible. He couldn't make good passes. He couldn't time his own passes or drives into the zone, causing some offside calls. Despite 4 shots on net, none of them really challenged Martin Brodeur. He got hit plenty of times from various Devils and he even fell down once. The fans let him know that he sucks and tonight, he truly did. He didn't contribute much to the Dallas cause of winning hockey games tonight, that's for sure.

Just to clarify, when I say Avery fell - it was when he was coming on for a line change. Sometimes the boards aren't where you think they are, I suppose.

The Stars as a whole were miserable that night as the Devils cruised to a 5-0 win. Only an announced 12,201 was at the Rock that night - but it was a very vocal 12,201. Many cheers against Avery and the lackluster Stars; many cheers in favor of a superior Devils team. Instead of taking a crowd out of the game or inciting them otherwise; Avery was just a target for the crowd (and numerous Devils when he had the puck).

But I imagine this will go largely ignored. After all, it doesn't fit very well with the established narrative. Which is, I think: Avery ~~acted like a chump~~ annoyed Brodeur and the Devils in the 2008 playoffs to great success, and he's now back in Ranger blue (not unlike Toronto blue) and he could do it again and please ignore the last three games between the two teams because SEAN AVERY is a Ranger again so everything is different now. We can't go against the narrative after all. It's established.

However, as indicated by the recent losses to Atlanta and Pittsburgh, Avery hasn't been, shall we say, useful to the Rangers recently. Only one assist in both games and not much else to write home about off the boxscore. Yet, he commands attention. Blueshirt Banter even blamed the league for a conspiracy against Avery, saying that officials are too focused on him. Seriously. He took one (1) goalie interference call against Atlanta and no (0) minors against Pittsburgh. If we're going on calls, there's more evidence that there's a conspiracy against Bobby Holik! It can't be that, you know, they're doing stupid things on the ice. Still, it's Sean Avery, so to some he commands this, um, attention?

Again, both teams aren't adding fuel to any Avery-related fire. That is for the best, I suppose. They are focusing on the game itself. According to Rich Chere, Patrik Elias said Monday was a big game because they haven't been playing well. No mentions of a rivalry or Avery or a distaste for a franchise that stands for little and remains living on a very The Devils just want to snap their 4 game losing streak and it just so happens that the goal is do that against the Rangers. At this point, dealing with distractions like Avery would only hinder the Devils. This, I think, is the proper approach.

Sean Avery, frankly, isn't worth anyone's time given his recent play and what he did (nothing of significance) against New Jersey back in October.

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Comments

It’s actually working in the opposite manner, in that infractions that would be called if they happened to other players are not being called when they happen to Avery. And yes, it is happening.

by brandnewdream on Mar 29, 2009 8:23 PM EDT reply actions

You cannot be serious

Because the officials/NHL/the Illuminati have it in Avery, they’re not calling penalties for him?

By that logic, I’d have to say the refs and the league and the Tri-Lateral Commission have it in for Zach Parise, who faces a good amount of stickwork every game!

You’re having a laugh, right?

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Mar 29, 2009 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions

this could be a season turning game.

The Devils need to take it to the Rangers more than ever now or they will go into the playoffs doughting themselves. This game not only means the metro ice challenge but will also be a mental thing with Brodeur if he loses to Lundqwist again. The Devils need to take more command of the puck in the offensive zone and keep it out of there own end. If I was coaching the Devils I would start Weekes in this game (o.k. I am crazy) so the Devils will not relax about getting shots on their net. They were successful against the Rangers that way in the previous wins.

Donald Vasquez

by don_vas on Mar 29, 2009 10:05 PM EDT reply actions

Weekes will not play.

Forget the season series; the Devils need a win to get out of this slump. That’s their attitude going into this one and anything else will likely only distract them.

That said the Devils cannot let up, you are right there.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Mar 29, 2009 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I was just kidding about Weekes.

I am probably panicking a little too much its just that this is reminding me a little too much of last year at this time. Nothing hurts me more than seeing the Devils lose to the Rangers.

Donald Vasquez

by don_vas on Mar 29, 2009 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

It is painful to lose to the Rangers of all teams. But it won’t be the end of the world if it does happen.

I have confidence in New Jersey, it’s not like they got outplayed in their last two games.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Mar 29, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm thinking that this is EXACTLY

what the Devils need right now. Maybe this will get them to move their legs a little more. Get the defensemen to move the puck out of the zone faster, especially with a team that likes to press coverage down low. One of the biggest issues the Devils have had is that their defensemen haven’t been moving the puck quick enough and making smart decisions in their zone. If Avery’s presence helps them be hyper focused on an annoying forecheck, all the better.

Plus there is nothing like a huge rivalry to really get a team up and taking the body. The Devils should be pounding the Rangers defensemen down low with people like Holik, Zubrus, Rupp and Shanahan. The team needs to use that massive size up front to force turnovers and play the puck possession game in the Rangers end. Hopefully they have discipline and don’t go out of their way to take shots at Avery because then he will be winning the mental game. And no one wants to lose a game to a mental midget.

Let’s get this tomorrow night, Devs. Get this ship righted in MSG.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Mar 30, 2009 3:39 AM EDT reply actions

Tonight is huge

Well agreeing with most of what you guys said, Tonight is huge because we need to get out of that slump NOW!
It is the time of the year when you should have your game playoff ready and we had it until that losing streak. How can a team go from winning all games to losing like that will always be mind boggling! Not only do we need the win, but can you imagine the effect of a loss if we have to face the Rangers in two weeks? I hear it already… With Avery Blah blah blah and Lundqvist… Blah Blah Blah…. I had enough of that last year.
Don’t forget the schedule. There are only 7 games remaining and 3 of them against playoff teams and possible 1st round opponents (NYR, PIT, CAR). That’s where you send a message.
I truly think a little struggle now might be good for this team. You want to head to the playoffs playing a solid game but not being overconfident. Well that struggle has got to end now though before they lose any confidence. And please no Rangers and no Hurricanes in the first round!!! I am sick of these two teams!

by TibbsBeastoftheEast on Mar 30, 2009 10:26 AM EDT reply actions

The Avery Bias

The problem with the whole Avery issue that the Rangers & Blueshirt Banter was complaining about isn’t that Avery is getting called for penalties but the fact that teams are slashing, punching and pretty much mauling Avery and he’s not DRAWING the penalties that 99% of the league would if they were subjected to the same behavior by the opponent.

by PuckCentral.net on Mar 30, 2009 12:34 PM EDT reply actions