Pest vs Pest

When the Stars signed Sean Avery to a four-year deal last month, everyone else in the league cringed. The NHL’s two biggest pests on the same team? Say no more.

However the Dallas Morning News looks at the big picture. They point out that Steve Ott‘s ice time started to steadily decrease throughout the playoffs and the inclusion of Avery along with a handful of prospects hoping to stay with the big club calls into question Ott’s status with the team:

The key for him will be to find his place. If he is the left wing on the checking line with Mike Modano (as he was for much of last season), Ott will indeed play an important role. But if the coaches are hoping to move Modano around or give him a more skilled partner like Brunnstrom, Ott will probably be moved to the fourth line.

And with Avery now a significant part of the picture who does many of the same things Ott does, is there a concern that Ott’s role will be diminished?

While Avery will likely settle in on one of the top two lines, Ott could indeed see himself relegated to the fourth line. Avery is able to instigate at will and do it without the fear of being a liability on the ice, so will the Stars still include Ott’s peskiness in their everyday lineup? It’ll be interesting to see what develops out of training camp in the fall.

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