Avery Not Getting His Due on Broadway

Glen Sather is an absolute enigma. The NY Rangers GM picks and chooses his battles in a bizarre way when it comes to contract negotiating.

What we know: Sather played hardball with Al Montoya over (peanuts) and Al went back to college to play another year. Some say it set Al back and that it slowed his career to the NHL. Now normally I wouldn’t fault a GM but this was during the time when the Rangers would throw money out of the MSG windows at anyone that could spell hockey. 

Sather also is the GM that felt compelled to overpay Henrik Lundqvist and not go to arbitration this summer. I say overpay because if you look at the comparables King Henrik is clearly overpaid compared to his former RFA peers (see Ryan Miller and Cam Ward).

Now good Ole Sather is taking the hardball approach with super pest Sean Avery. This past summer he decided to take Sean to arbitration. Now I’m not a huge fan of Avery’s pre-Broadway work but since he’s been playing for the Rangers he’s been the straw that stirred the drink. The NY Rangers record with Avery is unbelievable vs a sub 500 record when he’s not in the lineup.

Fast forward to last month, Avery decides to negotiate with the Rangers without an agent, possibly thinking he’ll save the organization money and of course gain money for himself. Rumor is he’s asking in the 3.5-3.75 range and a 3-4 year deal. Slats is said to be around the 2.5 – 2.75 range and not budging. Both sides have called talks off and Sather will wait till the off season and let the market decide.

IMO Sather is making a big mistake. I feel based on Avery’s conduct and output in Gotham he will get a 3.5 million per season deal. If he was buried on the 4^th line it would be one thing, but this guy is gelling with Jagr and putting up some decent points and playing great since returning from injury. Slats may not value Avery as a spark plug but wait till he has to replace him next season when the engine is sputtering.

Comments

[Dano]

You must be reading my mind about Slats. I agree with everything you say. Avery in my opinion is a great "all around" hockey player. Sather's ego is larger than life and no one is going to tell him any different. I feel if he gets it in his mind he doesn't like you, you're f*#k'd. If Drury and Gomez are worth $7M then avery is surely worth $4M. I think he made a mistake with Nylander. Nylander had a good season last year, better than both Drury and Gomer (and don't get me wrong both I like both) but Slats was reluctant to pay Mike more $$ and then paid over two million more than was probably needed to keep Nylander to two "marquee" player who have yet to (at least with Drury) show their true worth. Good move Glen!