Making an impact
Feb 12, 2007Sean Avery earned high marks in his first game as a Ranger last Tuesday night. The 26-year-old left wing, acquired from Los Angeles in a five-player-deal, made his Blueshirt debut in the 3-2 shootout loss in New Jersey.
Playing on a line with Matt Cullen and former Red Wing teammate Brendan Shanahan for most of the game, Avery played over 17 minutes, and finished with four shots (second on the team to Jaromir Jagr's six), drew a penalty and was also assessed a minor for goaltender interference.
Avery gave the Rangers a spark, and added a grittiness that had been missing in recent weeks. He was thrilled when he was informed of the trade.
"Initially it was a relief," Avery told me after the morning skate at the Meadowlands. "I knew something was going to happen. I was hoping it was going to be New York. I'm thrilled to be here, extremely excited about living in New York, playing for the Rangers and helping the team win."
"I think my skill level can help the guys I'm playing with. I'm going to be aggressive, energetic, and can bring a bit of a spark. Hopefully we can turn this around and sail smoothly into the playoffs."
As a member of the Kings, not only was Avery fifth in the NHL in penalty minutes, but also drew more penalties (46) than any other player in the league (including coincidental minors), and hopes to continue that trend in New York.
"Any time you can send out Jagr, Shanahan and the high powered guys for a power play, it's an advantage. They'll be happy any time they can go on the power play, and I'll be happy to watch them go out there."
If the first game is any indication, Avery will quickly become a favorite of his teammates and coaching staff, not to mention the fans at Madison Square Garden.
The Pickering, Ontario native made his MSG debut Friday night against one of the hottest clubs in the NHL. The Tampa Bay Lightning have won four straight games, 11 of their last 13, and seven in a row on the road ... six by one goal!
Three members of the Lightning have ties to the Rangers: Head coach John Tortorella, a Ranger assistant under John Muckler in 1998-99; captain Tim Taylor, an ex-Blueshirt; and goaltender Johan Holmqvist, who played four games with the Rangers from 2000-02 and spent three seasons with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Holmqvist was drafted by the Rangers in the seventh round in the 1997 Entry Draft. Three years later, the Rangers selected another goaltender from Sweden, a fellow by the name of Henrik Lundqvist.
"We'd be on the outside looking in with no chance without Holmqvist," Tortorella said prior to the 3-2 Lightning victory over the Rangers in Tampa last Saturday.
Holmqvist has wrestled the starting job away from Marc Denis by winning nine of his last 10 starts. The 28-year-old is 2-1 against the Rangers this season. Ironically, in his NHL debut for the Rangers against the Penguins at MSG on October 27, 2000, Jagr, Martin Straka and Alex Kovalev each scored a goal and added an assist and were named the game's three stars following a 4-1 Pittsburgh win.
