Sean Gone In Dallas- Sloppy Seconds Move On

The days of the Dallas Stars having Sean Avery as their Number One Pest are, officially, over.

The team is working on a way that there can be an amicable "divorce" between the two parties.

"Sean needs to focus on his own well-being while the Stars hockey team must focus on playing hockey and competing for a playoff spot," Stars co-general manager Brett Hull said in the statement. "We all need to move forward."

Avery lasted only 23 games in Dallas after being signed for $15.5 million and four years over the summer. The Stars could try voiding the contract by saying he violated a conduct clause, but aren't going to do that, in part because of the likely legal challenges that would ensue.

"The message here is: no distractions," Hull said. "Sean can focus on resolving his personal issues, and the Stars will have closure on this episode."

What's next after the divorce papers are filed...?

Avery and his agent could try finding a team interested in trading for him. If there are no takers, the Stars may not want to waive him because they would be responsible for the balance of his salary, which is US$4 million each of the next three seasons. They could hold his rights the rest of this season, then buy him out for two-thirds of the balance (US$8 million, instead of US$12 million) on or after July 1, 2009.

Avery also could be sent to an American Hockey League team, with the Stars paying his salary; if he didn't show up, he wouldn't get paid. Should Avery play in the minors, he'd go through re-entry waivers on the way back into the NHL. If a team claims him, the Stars and the new team would split the salary.

"We do care about Sean and want what is best for him," Hull said. "We've agreed to do what we can to help find him a place to play hockey once he addresses his personal issues."

While the "sloppy seconds" comment can be found here at OSG HQ, we thought we'd replay the interview he did with the CBC's George Stroumboulopolous on his show, "The Hour."

Required viewing to get to the heart of who Avery ((and his on-ice persona)) are these days...