Report: Rangers To Recall Agitator Sean Avery
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Rangers fans have seen enough. They want Sean Avery, exiled in Hartford of the AHL, back on John Tortorella's bench.
According to the New York Post, the MSG faithful are about to get their wish.
Avery "will be placed on re-entry waivers" at noon on Monday and is expected to clear, the paper reported. The popular agitator would be eligible to make his season debut Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks.
During the team's disappointing Madison Square Garden opener, a banner hung from the upper level in support of the forward. Loud chants of "We want Avery" have broken out in each of the Rangers' first two games in Manhattan.
Meanwhile, New York is still seeking its first home win after opening the season with a seven-game road trip (3-2-2) that spanned three countries and 10 time zones due to renovations at the Garden.
They'll get another chance on Monday night against the San Jose Sharks.
The Rangers seemed headed for their first home victory Saturday, but blew a three-goal, third-period lead over Ottawa before falling 5-4 in a shootout.
"We didn't get the job done," Tortorella said. "It's on us to keep working. Some of the details of our game are still weak and until we get that solid foundation of the details we will sputter."
Brad Richards is looking to build on his best performance since joining the Rangers as a free agent from Dallas last summer. The center had two goals and one assist against the Senators after finding the net once in the first eight games of the season.
Richards had one goal and three assists in five meetings with San Jose in 2010-11.
Right wing Marian Gaborik is tied with Richards with a team-high eight points, and leads the Rangers with five goals. Gaborik had one goal and two assists in Saturday's loss.
Is bringing back Avery the right move? Sound off in the comments below...
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