Five for Fighting

Sean talks

Hey folks... Been out of the loop a few days, but I saw on the Stars' website that Sean Avery chatted with the fellas on BaD Radio this week. Check it out on www.dallasstars.com. I haven't had a listen to it yet, myself, so I can't even give you a glimpse. But give it a listen when you get a chance... like when the boss is on his lunch break :)

Avery and Ott mic'd up?

OK, don't pretend I'm the only one who's gotten giddy at the thought of this. Of course, they'd have to put the game on HBO. And it would have to start well after 9 p.m. And let's face it, I've had enough of 9 o'clock starts on the West Coast.

Anyway, I've digressed. I asked Steve Ott if he and Sean Avery would either swap or work on verbal material for games. Ott had a good laugh at that, saying he's traded quips with former agitating teammates.

"It's like when I was with Matthew Barnaby. It was fun and he had some pretty good lines. It makes you laugh. We have such a great dressing room, hopefully he can jump on board and make things that much better."

So whaddya think of the new guy?

There was a 2007 NHL poll that listed Sean Avery most hated player among his peers. So guess what: Brenden Morrow wasn't his biggest fan the past few seasons. Still, that always raises an eyebrow when the team captain voices his past dislike about Avery antics (not his agitating, mind you. Morrow is all in favor of that. It's the not-so-smart stuff that worries most). Anyway, Morrow's ready to have his mind changed.
   Morrow actually brought up something I forgot about: Mike Ribeiro's rep coming in two-plus years ago. Now it wasn't the same type of attitude issues, but it was nonetheless bad. Ribeiro was considered much of a competitor, and that opinion got worse come the postseason. Now Ribeiro didn't score as much come the Detroit series, but he was doing whatever else he could, including logging hits. I know. I'm still recovering from the shock myself. Morrow's point: Guys can change in the right atmosphere. So we'll see.

More on Avery

Hey kids,

Still getting folks on the phone (Avery will be talking to us all in about two hours), but the more I'm writing about this deal, the more I'm liking it. He's one of those guys you hate to play against, but you're intrigued at what he could do on your side. He's got a deal that's going to keep him in a place for a while, which is stability he hasn't had in the last few markets. Yes, he's got a nasty little side to him, and some of his antics are anywhere from funny to borderline. Still, can you honestly say you're not interested at all in watching what he does here?

Here was one of the quotes from Brett Hull, about Avery's on-ice role: "He's a compliment to Brenden Morrow, who does most of the dirty work with Steve Ott out there." Guess that frees Morrow up to be more of a scorer (still keeping that grit, obviously), but he doesn't have to carry the mucking-around torch as much anymore.

Now keep in mind this thumb's up is coming from me: fairly quiet, don't-cause-a-stir Tracey. I guess variety is the spice of life.

SIGNING! Stars sign Avery to 4-year deal

Just got the word: The Stars have signed feisty forward Sean Avery to a four-year deal worth $15.5 million. Avery will get $3.5 million this coming season, then $4 million a year the next three seasons. This deal apparently also has a limited no-movement clause. If I remember correctly, a true, full-out no movement clause means you can't put a player on waivers, move them down, etc, without their consent.

Will be back with more shortly. Talking to the GMs in a little less than an hour.

As Linda would say on Coffee Talk, discuss...