Just when the Rangers seemed healthy, Sean Avery is going under the knife.
Avery---already sidelined once this season with a shoulder separation----will not only miss the Islanders game, but several more after arthroscopic surgery to clean out his left wrist tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.
Avery---who reinjured the wrist against Tampa when hit by a shot--- practiced without shooting today, but was waiting for results of a CAT scan on the wrist, which has bothered him since the start of the season.
He said afterward that the decision had been made and didn't know how long he would be sidelined. Avery said he had been playing with a fracture, and was worsened during a fight five games after he returned---we're thinking with Darcy Tucker in Toronto.
"Hopefully, it'll only be a week or two," he said. "But I don't live in a reality world."
With Ryan Callahan back and on a third line, Marcel Hossa could play left wing with Scott Gomez and Brendan Shanahan tomorrow, and coach Tom Renney did not rule out a callup from Hartford.
The Rangers were 17-6-6 with Avery last season; this year, the Rangers are 9-4-1 with him and 4-5-1 without him.
More in a bit....
Comments (14)
I say play Moore at LW instead of Hossa
That's anything but good news for a team who has been shaky as of late.
I'd like to see Korpikoski or P.A. Parenteau called up this time. Change things up.
Parenteau has some nice numbers since his 5 games with the Blackhawks last season. Might also be nice to see what else we have awaiting us in Hartford.
Ya never know!
I'd like to see the Rangers give Greg Moore a shot at some playing time with Gomez and Shanahan. Moore brings some of the same things that Avery does without the rough edges. He can play a physical game, kill penalties and take shifts on the power play. We have seen what Hossa gives (and doesn't give) so they might as well see what Moore can give the Rangers in an extended shot.
The Rangers need to get out in front in respect to seeing what a player can do. Last year they waited on giving shots to Girardi and Callahan and they turned out fine. This year, Dubinsky and Staal have proven themselves so why not give Moore a chance.
P.A. Parenteau or Papy. lol I talked to a brother in law out in Conn. He's at the wolfpack games on the weekends. He says Papy might be ready for the big show.
NO more Hossa
I say let him play against the Isles with the broken wrist. With any luck, someone will snap it off.
I guess it's times like this when we can all be happy we've got too many forwards...
I say call Dawes back up, maybe he's itching to show that his early goals werent flukes, and we know he can handle the pressure.
As much as it pains me to say it, the Rangers dont NEED Avery as much as they seem to think they do.
Hey Metal Chick... name 1 other player that irritates like Avery does ? there isnt one. Without him, the Rangers struggled earlier this year. Lets hope they pick up their play.
Hey Effigy of the Forgotten,
I thought the name of the game was "hockey" which involves putting biscuits in baskets.
NOT "irritation" which involves some sophomoric antisocial behavior.
In any event, your post is demonstrative of current problems plaguing the Rangers.
A/The fact that so much of the TEAM'S success can be tied to one or two people (i.e. Avery and Lundqvist).
IS NOT and should not be the case.
B/The fact that so many fans (and local media pundits) judge Avery's abilities and contributions to the team (and, ergo the success of the team) based on his ability to "irritate".
Nothing could be further from the truth, as he is a pretty damn good hockey player, who just happens to behave like an idiot.
"Irritation" does not win games......good hockey wins games.
Anthony M -Dubinsky has proven what so far. Offensively he has given next to nothing.
Mr Islander 505, I wasnt trying to pinpoint Avery's irritating nature as the reason the Ranger do better with him in the line up... its just that "The Rangers were 17-6-6 with Avery last season; this year, the Rangers are 9-4-1 with him and 4-5-1 without him."
MetalChick - Thanks for saying it I didn't want to. I know you can look at the records for the end of last season and what Avery has been around for this season and make a valid argument. I have a problem as well though if Avery is our saving grace.
Effigy and 505 - Avery is probably the best agitator in the game today. He does help but he takes just as many penalties as he draws. People do tend to over look his hockey abilities and with a healthy season he would show it. To say that he makes or break the team sucks in my mind. But, at the same point to say what he does doesn't contribute isn't right either. Penguins game for example he had Gary Roberts ready to commit murder on the ice and got him to take about 3 penalties. Now if the powerless play was scoring that is where Avery's antics would be huge!