All of you who thought Sean Avery’s NHL career was dead and buried raise your hand.
Come on Doug MacLean, I know you’re out there.
So Avery gets a second chance with the New York Rangers. Or is it the third, fourth or fifth chance? I really can’t remember. And more importantly, it doesn’t really matter. What does matter is the Rangers desperately need some energy in their lineup and Avery is still deemed the best they have.
How bad has it been for Rangers? How about Jumbo Joe Thornton — who’s not exactly known for his ferocious style of play — calling the Rangers “soft.” What’s next, Chris Neil criticizing their power play?
When you lose, or more importantly don’t like the way you lose, all bets are off. And if the Rangers’ long-term plan was to go without Avery, they have the right to change their minds – and in a hurry. Bad Octobers have buried many a team’s chance to make the playoffs — just ask the Maple Leafs.
By signing Brad Richards, the most coveted unrestricted free agent this past summer, the Rangers put themselves in a must-win situation. They were considered contenders for the Cup. To miss the playoffs would be fatal for many in the organization.
But beyond the Rangers desperation, the question begs: does Avery deserve another chance?
For those who don’t believe in second chances, how many of you threw Pittsburgh’s Matt Cooke out on the curb when he took out the Rangers’ Ryan McDonagh last spring. That was the final straw right? A 10-game suspension (plus the first round of the playoffs), a US$220,000 fine — as well as the criticism that rained down on him — wasn’t nearly enough according to many.
But take a good look at him today. Cooke is arguably the best penalty killer in the league this season, and has become a key contributor on a top team. He has eight points in 13 games, is a plus-4 and has just four penalty minutes. FOUR PIMs! None of us saw that now did we?
Can Avery make the necessary changes as well? The good news for Avery is no one will deny that when he is focused on playing the game he can contribute. Becoming an advocate for whatever cause he believes might be a noble thing to do, but not when it takes away from what should be his No. 1 priority, which is playing the game of hockey.
No one is foolish enough to believe Avery, Cooke or anyone else who pushes the envelope still might not fall off the deep end and go back to their ways. But as long as teams know there is always the chance they could change and be contributors once again, they’ll get as many chances as it takes to finally get it right.