Stars land enforcer Avery: The Dallas Stars know all about Sean Avery -- his history of mouthing off to teammates as well as foes, that he's a two-time NHL leader in penalty minutes whose agitating tricks included a "bush league" stunt in the playoffs that the league quickly banned. The way Stars co-general manager Brett Hull sees it: What's there not to like? Dallas signed the pesky forward to a $15.5 million, four-year deal Wednesday, a commitment that also pushes the Stars close enough to the salary cap that they probably won't chase more high-profile free agents. "It's limitless what he can bring to us," Hull said. "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." (Updated 07/02/2008).
Injury Report
Spleen - Questionable for start of training camp (Updated - 5/4/08)
Fantasy Analysis
Avery has played for three teams in six seasons. In 86 games with the New York Rangers over the last two seasons, the club was 50-20-16 with him in the lineup and 9-13-3 without him. This past season, Avery tied his NHL best of 15 goals and had 18 assists in 57 games. He had four goals and three assists in eight playoff games before being sidelined by a lacerated spleen. A bit undersized at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, Avery wasn't drafted but made his way to the NHL with the Red Wings in December 2001. Playing for Los Angeles, he led the NHL with 261 penalty minutes in 2003-04. The Kings traded him to the Rangers in February 2007. He is a decent two-way player, but is best used in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM. (Updated 07/02/2008).
No information available at this time.
Stars land enforcer Avery: The Dallas Stars know all about Sean Avery -- his history of mouthing off to teammates as well as foes, that he's a two-time NHL leader in penalty minutes whose agitating tricks included a "bush league" stunt in the playoffs that the league quickly banned. The way Stars co-general manager Brett Hull sees it: What's there not to like? Dallas signed the pesky forward to a $15.5 million, four-year deal Wednesday, a commitment that also pushes the Stars close enough to the salary cap that they probably won't chase more high-profile free agents. "It's limitless what he can bring to us," Hull said. "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." (Updated 07/02/2008).
Injury Report
Spleen - Questionable for start of training camp (Updated - 5/4/08)
Fantasy Analysis
Avery has played for three teams in six seasons. In 86 games with the New York Rangers over the last two seasons, the club was 50-20-16 with him in the lineup and 9-13-3 without him. This past season, Avery tied his NHL best of 15 goals and had 18 assists in 57 games. He had four goals and three assists in eight playoff games before being sidelined by a lacerated spleen. A bit undersized at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, Avery wasn't drafted but made his way to the NHL with the Red Wings in December 2001. Playing for Los Angeles, he led the NHL with 261 penalty minutes in 2003-04. The Kings traded him to the Rangers in February 2007. He is a decent two-way player, but is best used in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM. (Updated 07/02/2008).
