Avery arbitration news to come soon

Steve Zipay of Newsday reports that a decision in Sean Avery’s arbitration case could be announced out as early as today, or possibly on Wednesday.

But are the restricted free agent forward’s days numbered with the New York Rangers?

If the Rangers decline the award handed down by the arbitrator, Avery could become an unrestricted free agent. Zipay writes that that scenario could take place should Avery receive an annual salary of more than $2 million, mostly due to salary cap issues.

Perhaps that is why Rangers management have gone out of their way to “attack” Avery. Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports that beside referring to Avery as “a reasonably effective player as well as a detriment to the team,” Rangers GM Glen Sather had other choice words to describe his player.

“Avery is not a mature player. He plays, at times, like an individual rather than a member of a team. This is sometimes referred to as an inability to see the ice, and in Avery’s case this seems to fit with his overall approach to the game.”

Those comments have left Avery reeling, and possibly wondering if remaining a Ranger is something he still wants.

“I have no idea what to say,” Avery, who went into the hearing seeking $2.6M, wrote in an e-mail to The Post following the hearing in Toronto. “I don’t know what this was about.”

“I’m shocked.”

As reported earlier, Avery is looking for a $2.6 million per season, while the Rangers have offered a $200,000 raise over the $1.1 million he earned last season.