Sean Avery yesterday said he does not expect to be recalled by the Rangers and said thinking about a return to the NHL “is like someone trying to win the lottery.”
The former Rangers forward reported to the AHL’s Connecticut Whale and practiced with them yesterday. He told ESPN.com he did not get a fair chance to stay with the Rangers during the preseason.
“I’d say it’s pretty obvious,” he said. “I’ll let everyone else decide for themselves.
“I can still play in the NHL. There’s no question about that.”
The noted agitator was assigned to Hartford after clearing waivers on Oct. 5, freeing up $1.93 million from the Rangers’ salary cap.
“[Coach John Tortorella] told me it was his decision, and that was pretty much it,” Avery said.
Avery’s practice yesterday was his first since suffering a shoulder injury in a Rangers preseason game in Sweden on Sept. 30. The Whale said it is not clear if he will play tomorrow when they play host to Manchester.