If the statements by both parties in this arbitration were to remain confidential until the process is completed, then one party here is completely in the wrong. Sean Avery was the media darling last spring. He, who was allegedly the spark that took the Rangers to the playoffs, is in the media spotlight again but for the wrong reasons.

Because bottomfeeders like Larry Brooks will latch on to any scoop to sell newspapers and Avery’s agent will stoop to exposing confidential information to get a bigger salary for Avery and thusly a bigger commission for himself, Ranger fans have had to endure this unnecessary drama. And, it ain’t over yet.

In the middle of all this sits the not too bright Sean Avery. If Sean were a smart lad, he would never have forced Sather into arbitration. Sean would have taken a page out of Henrik and Marcel’s book and negotiated and settled out of court. Apparently Sean doesn’t read the papers. He is not a student of recent Ranger history. 

You don’t cross Glen Sather. Sather let fan favorite, two time Steven McDonald Award winner and the Captain of the Ranger’s penalty kill walk in vidication of a signing bonus dispute. Dominick Moore is gone because he crossed Sather by electing to go the arbitration with Sather. Yoo-hoo Sean, how do you think Glen’s going to feel about you tainting the whole arbitration process by leaking the depositions to Brooksie.

Think back to Detroit, Sean. Fan favorite Darren McCarty received a $2.5 million a year contract and Holland had to buy it out before the start of the 2005 season. D-Mac landed in Calgary after their Stanley Cup run and played with Jerome Iginla. Mac was twice the player you are now and brought exactly what you bring to the table, only much more.  Mac was shipped! If Mac wasn’t worth $2.5 in 2005, you’ve got cojones to think you are now!

Wake up Sean! As much as the fans have taken a shine to you, most of us can see that with your track record, the organization shouldn’t give you a big pay day until we see you play a full season. If the Rangers offer you $2 millon you should take it, walk away and keep your mouth shut.

If you do open your mouth again, it should be to apologize to Sather and the fans for being a dick about this whole thing. Contrition wins more fans then a bad attitude. If you don’t like it here, you can go play in some hockey backwater like Sunrise or Nashville. You have been given a second chance to play for one of the premier franchises in the NHL. You already got the bum’s rush in Hockeytown. Don’t blow this gig in the Big Apple.

I think when all is said and done, Glen Sather, the organization and the fans should take Avery’s lack of experience, his arbitration naivete into consideration. Sean needs to learn a little humility and get a new manager.