All-Time Stars: The players we forgot were once Dallas Stars
By John Grux
1. Sean Avery (2008-09)*
Sean Avery takes the top spot on our list because of the circus that surrounded his brief Dallas Stars tenure. Avery played 23 games with the Stars in 2008, accumulating 10 points and 77 penalty minutes.
Signing Sean Avery to a 4-year, $16 million deal was not one of Brett Hull’s finest moments as co-general manager. Avery enjoyed a successful pair of seasons with the New York Rangers that included Selke Trophy consideration. However, the 5-foot-10 forward’s disruptive antics off the ice out-weighed the advantages of his pestering play.
The Dallas Stars waived Avery after he publicly made disparaging comments about his ex-girlfriends. Avery was also suspended by the NHL for his conduct. Such conduct created insurmountable tension between Avery and his Stars teammates.
The Rangers ultimately claimed Avery off re-entry waivers. He saw 18 games of NHL action in New York before the close of the 2008-09 season.
Forgetting that Sean Avery was a Dallas Stars is not a bad thing. -J.G.