TSN.ca is reporting that goaltender Ray Emery has signed a deal to play in Russia next season. The much-maligned goalie was demoted to back-up last season after he failed to show up on time to practices and game-day skates. He signed a one-year $2 million dollar deal and joins Jaromir Jagr as the two most prominent NHL players to follow the lure of Russian mobster money.

“Unfortunately, it’s only been a short time since the buyout and there isn’t anybody willing to give (Emery) a second chance at this time,” said J.P. Barry, Emery’s agent. “I think if people knew the things that he’s done over the last little while to turn the corner, there might be more interest out there.”

Sure, he was a total head-case, but come on, he is a goalie. They are all head-cases. Yeah, Ron Hextal was totally calm and collect in net. Billy Smith? A total sweetheart. Patrick Roy? Yeah, he is the picture of sanity.

Was Emery too much for a team to take a chance on? Take a look at his stats last season

32 games 12W 13L 4T 3.13 GAA and .890 Save PCT

He ranked:

43/44 in GAA
43/44 in Save PCT

In the season before, he was the starter and took Ottawa to the cup final

58 games 32W 16L 6T 2.47 GAA and .918 Save PCT

He ranked:

13/44 in GAA
7/44 in Save PCT

He was even better during the cup run.

20 games 13W 7L 2.26 GAA and .907 Save PCT

I find it hard to believe that no team would take a chance on Emery, even as a back-up. Johan Hedberg even was resigned to a decent deal. The lure of $2 million had to have drawn him to Russia. Is going to play in the Russian Super League going to help him get a starting job next season?

Pass it on

Hide Sites