Update: 9:26AM: In the NY Post, Larry Brooks quotes Henrik Lundqvist as saying:

“Sean is one of a kind when he plays his game,” said Lundqvist, when asked about the Peoples’ Choice. “He brings a lot to the table.

“But management thinks this is the best team possible, so we have to go with that.”

Original Post: At the beginning of the first period there was a banner hanging from MSG saying “Avery 16 Send Torts To The Whale.”

Katie Strang at ESPN New York says that a season ticket holder named Don made the banner and may make a banner that reads:

“AVERY IS GONNA HAUNT THEM FOREVER.”

The banner was taken down in the middle of the first period.

[blackbirdpie url="http://twitter.com/#!/5holeEric/status/129736365154902016"]

[blackbirdpie url="http://twitter.com/ChrisBottaNHL/status/129745058248409088"]

Avery is going to make his debut for the Whale tonight.