Dallas Stars sign forward Sean Avery to 4 year, $15.5 million contract

by Mark Stepneski of Andrew's Stars Page

DALLAS — Martin Brodeur, the New Jersey Devils and the rest of the Eastern Conference can rest easy. Sean Avery is heading West. The abrasive Avery is returning to the Pacific Division where he can grate on the nerves of Western Conference teams as a member of the Dallas Stars, who signed the agitator to a four-year, $15.5 million dollar contract on Wednesday.

Photo not provided by the NY Rangers, Dallas Stars

Hopefully a Stars-Devils Finals rematch is in the works

"I'm excited to cause quite a disturbance to a lot of guys that I used to bother that were probably glad that I was gone for a year-and-a-half," Avery, the ex-New York Ranger who used to play for the Los Angeles Kings and Detroit Red Wings, said on a conference call late Wednesday afternoon.

Avery, who so infuriated Brodeur during last season's playoffs that Brodeur passed on shaking Avery's hand at the end of the series, is bringing his act to Dallas.

"We are excited about the opportunity to add a player like Sean Avery to our group,” said Stars co-GM Brett Hull, who played with and became friends with Avery in Detroit. “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."

Hull, one of the game's great personalities, was key in bringing another noted hockey personality into the Dallas organization. Avery said the fact that Hull is part of Dallas management played a role in his decision to sign the deal with the Stars, especially with a return to the Rangers not in the cards.

"He was my favorite player ever since I was a kid," Avery said of Hull. "I played with him by first couple years in Detroit and actually lived with him. Our relationship has gone on ever since I left Detroit. He was a hell of a player and I think he is certainly doing a pretty good job as a GM now. I was certainly a comfortable situation talking to Hullie, and I am certainly happy with the commitment they have given me."

Stars fans may have looked at Avery with disdain in the past, but Hull is convinced fans will be singing a different tune this fall.

"He will be a fan favorite, I can tell you that," Hull said on The Ticket Wednesday afternoon shortly after news of the signing broke.

Of course that doesn't include fans in opposition buildings. But there's more to Avery than just his role as an agitator and pest. He's also a good player who can play a lot in a lot of roles, including putting some pucks in the net. He scored 15 goals in 57 games last season for the Rangers. He notched 18 the season before playing in both Los Angeles and New York.

"He's an unbelievable athlete. He's come a long way. He has a great work ethic. He works out like a demon in the offseason," said Hull. "When it comes to on the ice, his skill keeps improving yearly. He's feisty, tenacious. He hits, fights and has the ability to score and make plays. He's a guy that is fearless out there. He's a real good complement to Brenden Morrow."

Hull said he and co-GM Les Jackson talked to coach Dave Tippett about Avery, and sees the forward being used in a variety of ways.

"We are going to be a team that has three quality lines where the coach can do a lot with them. When we play a team like Anaheim or San Jose and they've got Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf and Joe Thornton, there's a guy who can up against them and to a great job," Hull said. "Other times when you play teams that don't have those big centers he can more of a skill game, you can throw him on the wing or mix and match in a lot of places.

"I think he gives a lot of room for a guy like Brad Richards, creates a comfort zone just like Brenden Morrow does for Mike Ribeiro. That's what we need with our group. I think there are a myriad of places where you can play him. I think the same thing goes with Mike Modano. It gives Mike a quality winger he can play with that can move the puck, score some goals and get him the puck and be a responsible winger Tip likes."

As for Avery's well documented antics, Hull said the 28-year-old forward has matured over the years, especially after he was traded to the New York Rangers during the 2006-07 season. In New York Avery became an impact player with the Rangers, who were 50-23-13 with Avery in the lineup the last two seasons and an under .500 team without him.

"After he signed with the Rangers he matured and there was never a problem. He actually made the Rangers a much better team," Hull said. "They were a team that was floundering and underachieving and as soon as they picked up Sean Avery they became a Stanley Cup contender. Talking to some of the guys I know on that team, they are very sorry to see him go."

Avery admitted that his game did mature in New York and that while he does come close to crossing the line at times, he's careful about what he does.

"I think what I have done is learn to manipulate the line," Avery said. "Certainly I've matured. I am not the same player I was four or five years ago or even three years ago. I think the opportunity I got in New York was a big one and one that helped me as far as my career development goes. I like to push it to the edge, there is no question about that. That's how I play and that's how I live. That's what I am all about. I think what I've done now is do it without hurting the team and having it affect the other 22 guys in the dressing room."

And if Avery's performance in New York is any indication, there's a lot he can do to help his team. That's what the Stars are expecting and hoping.

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