NHL roundup: Sean Avery unclaimed, stays with Rangers

Sean Avery cleared re-entry waivers on Tuesday and might be back in the New York Rangers' lineup Thursday night.

Avery could have been claimed by the other 29 NHL teams after he was placed on waivers Monday by the Rangers, but they all passed on the noted agitator before the 24-hour period expired. That cleared the way for Avery, a former Red Wing, to be recalled by New York from the Connecticut Whalers of the AHL.

Avery, 31, is eligible to play Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks, cheap jerseysbut after a solid 5-2 victory by New York over San Jose on Monday night, coach John Tortorella might not have a spot for him. Tortorella said after the win that he didn't want to "force feed" the lineup.

When Avery was sent to the minors during the preseason, Tortorella gave the reason that the Rangers had better players than Avery for the available roster spots. The absence of rugged forward Mike Rupp, who is out because of a left knee injury, prompted the move to summon Avery to provide the missing grit.

Avery is expected to practice today with the Rangers, who had the day off Tuesday.

The Rangers earned their first win at renovated Madison Square wholesale jerseys Garden on Monday after an 0-1-1 start to their six-game home stand, following a 3-2-2 season-opening trip. Chants and banners supporting Avery's return filled the arena during all three home games.

Now the fan favorite is coming back for a third stint with the Rangers, although he didn't leave the organization before returning this time. New York reacquired Avery in March 2009 on re-entry waivers following the forward's highly publicized fallout with the Dallas Stars.

Rupp already has missed three games, and there is no timetable yet for his return. He was seen by a doctor Monday, but there was still no update on his condition following the game Monday night.

"Rupper has a lot to do with this. We're concerned with that," Tortorella said Monday. "I'm not sure what's going to happen. This is the right decision, the right hockey decision just like it was the right hockey decision when we sent Sean down. There's concern with Rupper. We're not sure he'll be able to play."

Avery scored Friday in his season debut with Connecticut at Adirondack after cheap jerseys free shipping he sat out the first seven games because of a shoulder injury. He has seven penalty minutes and 11 shots on goal in his two games with the Whale.

In 249 games with the Rangers over five seasons, Avery has 42 goals, 78 assists and 580 penalty minutes. New York is 129-89-31 with Avery in the lineup since he was first acquired on Feb. 5, 2007, from Los Angeles.

COLUMBUS: Ryan Johansen will stay with the Blue Jackets according to general manager Scott Howson who posted a message on his Twitter account saying, "We have decided to keep Ryan Johansen through the 10-game threshold."

The team's front office had been deliberating whether to keep the cheap nfl jerseys club's 2010 first-round pick (fourth overall) with the NHL club or send him down to juniors. The 19-year-old has played in nine games so far, and playing in a 10th would trigger his entry-level contract, allowing him to become a restricted free agent after 2013-14.

EDMONTON: Defenseman Andy Sutton was suspended five games by NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan for delivering an elbow to the head of Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog during Friday's game.

NEW JERSEY: Martin Brodeur said he is healthy and ready to return. When he actually does, though, is still to be determined. The Devils goaltender, who suffered a bruised shoulder three weeks ago, could be between the pipes tonight when New Jersey faces the Toronto Maple Leafs.