So with Sean Avery being waived today, the door has been opened Ranger fans. There is a potential that opposing teams will stick more physical forwards on their checking lines to exact more punishment on two very talented but somewhat fragile players. Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards likely will have to be extra careful throughout the season as the New York Rangers clearly are gambling a bit with their choice of lines.
While we are not saying Avery is the end all here, we are saying that having an Avery like presence on the team is need. Brian Boyle is not enough of a deterrent or distraction for the opposition. Wojtek Wolski is a nice complement on the first line but is not physical enough. That creates a problem for a line that is pretty much mostly or all finesse. Look at most teams and their top lines and you will find one guy that at least offers some fear for the most part. In the physical Atlantic Division, it is almost a must that you have to have a little muscle somewhere in the Top 6 at the very least.
Think of the consequences of this. Now not all hope is lost for Rangers fans but if either Richards or Gaborik is lost for any length of time, it does have a strange domino fantasy effect for GM’s out there. Sean Avery was a distraction and probably nothing more. Unfortunately he was too much of an off ice distraction for the team to warrant not being waived. Now what the Rangers kept instead also does not have much of a place on the team or fantasy rosters. Clearly sending a statement was more important than the long term welfare of the team.
Now yes this gamble could all pay off as the first line stays more healthy than expected. On the other hand, sometimes injuries just happen anyway no matter what is attempted to be done. A team can only do so much and at this point, I recommend something for every single fantasy owner that either has Gaborik, Richards, or both. Create a hedge plan now. Make sure that you have backup plans in place in case the unthinkable happens. It is rare I say this but with certain players and environment, the probability of injury is too high not to. See Tim Connolly and players like the such as Exhibit A.
There is no clear indicated impact that the Avery waiving could have ultimately as far as the first line but it is something that we can keep an eye on as an interesting side plot during the year. Will this make an impact or will it not? Certaintly the Rangers hope that they have enough grit to help their front lines out. Time will tell. Again, balance with the adage of sometimes things happen and this could all be moot.
Alas just keep an eye out fantasy hockey fans and let us know if there are any other potential line combos that scare you for the wrong reasons. Bye for now.
Sincerely,
Chris Wassel
Director Of The Program
