Avery: Plus or Minus

Sean Avery is confirmed to be in the line-up for the New York Rangers tonight, at home against the Montreal Canadiens. Ranger fans have been faithful to the agitator since his arrival to the Big Apple but they must ask themselves; is he an asset or a bust to the team? Sean Avery's biggest asset he brings to his club is getting under the skin of star opponents and keep them off their game. But the officials have kept his crazy antics on a short leash. The penalties he used to draw don't get called and his PIM has increased over the years. Once John Torterella dropped him to the waiver wire to start the season, fans had a strong feeling this could be the end of Sean Avery's time as a Broadway Blue. So when the Garden Faithful started chanting Avery's name during their losing skid to start the season and losing Mike Rupp to a knee injury which could require anthroscopic surgery, it was inevitable to see Avery get called up to fill in his 4th line spot. But is it worth it? The New York Rangers have solidified a deep young talent with their youth players which makes you wonder why they would call up a washed up Avery rather than any of those talented young players in their system. Avery has lost his edge, his grit and his weapon of antagonizing. Without these characteristics, Avery is a sub-par player. He does have speed, a good set of hands and strength, but doesn't have the skill to become an everyday player. Avery has 42 goals and 78 assists in 249 games as a Ranger with a majority of those points coming in his first two seasons. Sean needs to use his speed and hands to create scoring for the 4th line or else maybe even his hockey career will be over. Only he can decide his fate.