SPORTSNET.CA–

As Sportsnet first reported last week, Sean Avery was placed on re-entry waivers by the Dallas Stars on Monday in the expectation that the New York Rangers will pick up the controversial winger.

Avery will be available until noon Tuesday by the lowest-ranked team who makes a claim, and the Rangers have indicated they will pick him up.

Avery had been playing with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League as he attempts to resurrect a career that went off the rails in December following remarks he made about Calgary defenceman Dion Phaneuf’s actress girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert.

The National Hockey League suspended him indefinitely pending anger management counselling and the Stars indicated they didn’t want him to return.

Should Avery be claimed, his $3.8 US million salary will be split between the Stars and whichever team picks him up.

After this season, Avery has three years remaining on his $15.5 million deal he signed as a free agent with the Stars this past summer.

Also going on waivers Monday were: Tom Preissing (L.A.); Joe Callahan (NYI); Lawrence Nycholat (Vancouver); Steven Goertzen (Phoenix) and Bill Thomas (Pittsburgh).