Sunday, March 9, 2008
The Deal that Almost Was
NY Post:
"What we have just learned, however, is the GM believes Avery is worth more to the Rangers than Steve Bernier. A well-placed source has told The Post that Sather rejected a San Jose trade deadline offer of Bernier, the 22-year-old, 6-foot-2, 225-pound, emerging power winger, for Avery."
Now let me first off say I am one of the biggest Sean Avery supporters and loved the deal the minute he became a Ranger. Even while some people were questioning the move I knew it would be a huge help down the stretch. The one downfall of a player like Avery is that he tends to "wear out his welcome" rather quickly. Last year as a restricted free agent he began a little fuss over his money. He refused to sign a contract and went to arbitration. Avery had been seeking $2.6 million while the Rangers offered $1.3 million. The arbitrator gave him $1.9 which the Rangers then signed him too. Well there seems to be the same problems again this year. Avery is seeking upwards of $3.5 million that the Rangers clearly don't want to give him. They are looking more towards $3 million. The problem this time is he is an unrestricted free agent and this offer tells us someone is going to pay him that much.
Now when you look at Steve Bernier this man is a complete beast. He is a former 1st round pick that will soon be a 1st line forward. He has 15 goals and 13 assists already this year in just his 2nd year in the NHL. The most points Avery got was 84 and it was not in the NHL. Even though the Rangers are in the cup race so were the Sabers who had no problem giving up someone they could not pay this off season. Even though you are playing for now that move could have helped your future far more by pulling the trigger. If Avery does not get signed this one of those deals you shake your head on for not pulling the trigger on it.
