CityGuy

The Rangers are likely to let pesky forward Sean Avery slip away via unrestricted free agency, according to the New York Post.
In fact, the Post reported, that Rangers GM Glen Sather has informed the agents for all five of their pending unrestricted free agents that he doesn't intend on signing any of them before July 1.

Beginning that day, Avery, Fs Jaromir Jagr, Martin Straka, Brendan Shanahan and D Michal Rozsival will be free to seek the highest bidder.

The Post said it's believed Avery could be headed back to the Kings now that they have fired coach Marc Crawford and that the Rangers might go after Maple Leafs F Darcy Tucker if Toronto buys out his contract by June 30.

Earlier this spring the Rangers and Avery were apparently $750,000 per year apart in contract negotiations, according to the Daily News of New York.

The paper said Sather hadn't budged from a midseason offer of $2.75M per season while Avery wanted at least $3.5M per year.

Avery made $1.9M this past season in a one-year deal he received after a contentious arbitration hearing between him and the Rangers last summer.

PaullyInNYC

sather wants his *** kicked

CityGuy

One of the NHL's most spirited and hated players has been snapped up off the free agent list, as forward Sean Avery has been signed by the Dallas Stars to a 4-year, $15.5 million contract. The contract has a limited no-movement clause.

Avery, 28, was a key player with the New York Rangers since joining them midway through the 2006-07 season in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings. The Rangers are 50-20-16 over the last two seasons (10-8 in the playoffs) with him in the lineup, and 9-13-3 without him.

"We are excited about the opportunity to add a player like Sean Avery to our group," said Stars Co-General Manager Brett Hull. "His ability to play the game with skill and tenacity makes us a better team and is a great complement to the players we have here."

In 86 games with the Rangers, Avery scored 23 goals and tallied 53 points with 212 penalty minutes and a plus-17.

"It's limitless what he can bring to us," Hull told the Canadian Press. "His skill level is getting better and better, year by year. That, with his grit, his toughness, his ability to win, I just thought it was a no-brainer to have him in our lineup.

"He goes against the stream, which I kind of like. He reminds me of myself in a way," Hull said. "I think every team needs that."

CityGuy

Martin Broduer must be thrilled!