DALLAS (AP) -The Dallas Stars know all about Sean Avery - the history of mouthing off to teammates as well as foes, that he's a two-time NHL leader in penalty minutes whose agitating ways included a ``bush league'' stunt in the playoffs that the league quickly banned.
The way Stars co-general manager Brett Hull sees it: What's there not to like?
Dallas signed the pesky forward to a $15.5 million, four-year deal Wednesday, a commitment that also pushes the Stars close enough to the salary cap that they probably won't chase more high-profile free agents.
``It's limitless what he can bring to us,'' Hull said. ``His skill level is getting better and better, year by year. That, with his grit, his toughness, his ability to win, I just thought it was a no-brainer to have him in our lineup.''
Avery has played for three teams in six seasons, yet whatever he does, and however he does it, seems to work. In 86 games with the New York Rangers over the last two seasons, the club was 50-20-16 with him in the lineup and 9-13-3 without him.
This past season, he tied his NHL best of 15 goals and had 18 assists in 57 games. He had four goals and three assists in eight playoff games before being sidelined by a lacerated spleen; he still made a mark by prompting the so-called ``Avery Rule.''
In a first-round game against New Jersey, Avery set up in front of New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur and blocked the goalie's view by waving his hand and stick. The move was outlawed the next day. Also that day, Stars goalie Marty Turco said this about Avery's stunt: ``Hopefully, guys understand the integrity of the sport. That's just something you don't do. It's kind of bush league. Hopefully it's the last we see of it.''
Hull knows Avery rubs some guys the wrong way, even guys in his own dressing room. And Hull is OK with that.
``He goes against the stream, which I kind of like. He reminds me of myself in a way,'' Hull said. ``I think every team needs that.''
Hull named several of Dallas' more skilled forwards - like Mike Ribeiro, Jere Lehtinen, Brad Richards and Mike Modano - and noted, ``they're not the biggest, toughest guys in the world. You need people with grit and toughness to make some space, and he does that.''
Stars captain Brenden Morrow and Steve Ott have done the bulk of that. Now, Avery moves to the forefront as the Stars look to build on a postseason run that took them to the Western Conference finals. Nearly all their core players will be back to try building on that, which makes it less imperative for them to be big players in free agency.
``There's no question he's a guy we wanted on our team, not just a guy who fits a certain role,'' Hull said.
Avery, 28, will earn $3.5 million in the upcoming season, then $4 million each of the following three years. He also has a limited no-trade clause.
Hull's co-GM, Les Jackson, said coach Dave Tippett embraced the move, too. Jackson also said the Stars will now focus on signing guys who can add depth.
``We're pretty limited,'' he said. ``The supermarket is likely going to close.''
A bit undersized at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, Avery wasn't drafted but made his way to the NHL with the Red Wings in December 2001. Playing for Los Angeles, he led the NHL with 261 penalty minutes in 2003-04. The Kings traded him to the Rangers in February 2007.
Avery is the kind of guy players hate to face and fans love to boo. Yet Hull loved having him on his side when they were together and he expects Stars fans to embrace Avery, too.
``His confidence is through the roof. Early in his career, that was probably his biggest downfall,'' Hull said. ``Obviously, you've seen him grow.''
Still, Hull said, ``He won't let a guy take a night off. If he sees you doing that, he's going to let you know it.''
Avery's not all grit, by the way. He recently spent a month working as an intern at Vogue magazine.
