Sorry, Sean, but we've moved on

I should probably start this by saying I defended Sean Avery, pretty much just to be contrarian. It did net me a link from Deadspin (pretty cool) and at least one comment (meaning this isn't just a complete vanity project). And still, I think Avery is a bizzare kind of player.

He's good, but not great. He's a role player who doesn't play a role, if that makes sense. At his best, when he's most effective, he's a modern Esa Tikkanen. He's a pest, a third-line player who bugs people, draws the other team into penalties. And if he can score a few goals, then good for him. But primarily, he's just a nuisance.

And boy, was he ever one in Dallas.

I read a story from about the time he made his "Sloppy Seconds" dig about how it went over in the dressing room. Even his team thought he had crossed a line. Even his team thought he was too much of a pest. He had played his role almost too well.

Remember what it was like back in early December? Dallas had just paid a ton of money for an agitator, the team was in the cellar and the season was looking lost. Marty Turco wasn't playing well; his record was 7 and 14. Since then, he's basically found his groove: he's now 24 and 24 - a vast improvement in the past six weeks. Obviously, they don't miss Avery.

And nobody else does either, it seems, since Avery has cleared waivers.

Still, there is talk of his coming back to New York, where the team has floundered since he left last spring. But to say that he's the solution is wrong. The Rangers have taken some big losses this year, Jagr and Shanahan the biggest of them. Avery is not the solution to the problems they have.

At best, he brings maybe 15 goals. At worst, his ego flourishes in the media spotlight and he becomes another distraction for a team trying to find itself. Granted, maybe his exile has leveled him down a bit. Or maybe it's a little unfair to say he'll act out prematurely.

But honestly, with his track record, I don't see it not happening. Avery loves the spotlight and he'll never get into it with his talent alone. If he comes back, he will do something to make himself noticed again. One can only hope it isn't as stupid as his last one.