Avery Back in New York?

The New York Rangers are trying to claim Sean Avery off waivers so he can return to The Big Apple. Avery spent a year and a half on the Rangers and was a key part of their team. Most people don't know Avery from his abilities on the ice, rather the controversy that he causes off it.

Avery, who left the Rangers for the Dallas Stars last off season, made a comment in November about Flames defensemen Dion Phaneuf and Avery's ex-girlfriend saying that she was "sloppy seconds". The league then suspended him, sent him to anger management, and he hasn't played a game since.

Even though Avery struggled this year while he was playing, he put up solid numbers with the Rangers and they were a much better team when he was in their lineup then when he wasn't. He loves to trash talk and draws a lot of penalties. The Rangers need a guy like him who is physical and not afraid to charge the net. This will be a good move for them as long as he can keep his focus. The Rangers are a soft team this year, but with him they will have more of a physical game so teams won't be able to boss them around.

Personally, I think that Sean Avery is a disgrace to the game of hockey. His antics on the ice are enough for me to hate him. I do however feel like the NHL was wrong in suspending him this year for his comments, that weren't really that harsh. He has said and done worse things in the past where no action was taken. Avery is known for his cheap shots and dirty play. They even named a rule after him when he waved his arms and stick in front of Martin Brodeur last season. Although he is a classless, dirty, player he can help the Rangers in a lot of areas because he is a skilled player. Ranger fans better hope he doesn't pull anything stupid because one more incident will result in a harsh punishment from the league.

One more thing I am interested in seeing is how he will fit in again with his teammates. After he left New York over the off season, he blasted numerous players such as Brandon Dubinsky, Nigel Dawes, and Henrik Lundqvist. He burnt down all of hi bridges with the team and now he is going to have to fix it somehow.

Something Amazing in San Jose

The San Jose Sharks tied the record for the quickest team in NHL history to reach 50 points. The Sharks are sporting a 25-3-2. They have not lost in regulation at home this season and this team seems poised for a run at the Stanley Cup. They lead their division by an amazing 15 points over Anaheim. The Sharks have had a solid team for a few years now, but this season they look incredible.

Center Patrick Marleu is leading the way for them with 16 goals and 19 assist and a +17 rating. Veteran Joe Thornton is also putting together a stellar year thus far with 27 assist. Evgeni Nabokov is proving that he is one of the leagues top goalies again this season, and has a 2.48 GAA.

The Sharks haven't just been getting by teams, they have seemed almost unbeatable and win extremely convincingly. If you're not into hockey, I suggest try to and start to get to know this team because it is proving to be one of the best that the NHL has seen in years.

San Jose has some tough opponents ahead of them as their next 3 games are at the Detroit Red Wings who have quietly been putting together a great season of their own, the New York Rangers who are second in the Eastern Conference coming off a big win against the Ducks, and the Vancouver Canucks who have the leagues best goalie in Roberto Luongo. These will be challenging games for them but I expect them to stay on cruise control for most of the season. I expect this team to be hoisting the Stanley Cup at the end of this season.