A Lesson In Ownership: Ray Emery Deserves Credit

We all know former Senators goalie Ray Emery was a distraction for Ottawa last year. Emery even knows it. It was such a distraction, the Senators were willing to take a cap hit to buy out the troubled goalie's contract.

It's a sad thing when a player goes from backstopping the Stanley Cup runner-up to being bought out in the span of one year. And all because of a hand injury.

If Emery hadn't hurt his hand, and came back to start the season last year, this may never have happened. He might have backstopped that offensive powerhouse to the Stanley Cup! Not likely, but we'll never know.

Not to justify his actions—but if the Senators had continued to win with a healthy Emery, his antics would have just looked at as quirks of a prima donna.

Put Patrick Roy in his situation and I don't think it would have been much different. Although I don't think Emery is even close to the calibre of a Patrick Roy, it's the closest comparison I could think of.

Emery's behavior is well-documented, and it's understandable that no NHL team jumped at the chance to have Emery in their lineup. Now he's signed with a team in Russia, and is taking responsibility for his actions.

He's publicly admitted that the circus that happened in Ottawa this season was his own fault, and knows he needs to change. He didn't make any excuses for what happened, and didn't even come close to blaming the Senators. There was no ill will towards Ottawa in any way.

I personally think he's going in the right direction to resuming a career as a starting goaltender in the NHL. First, his ownership of his actions showed maturity. Second, by making the move to Russian hockey, Emery can make a good salary and be the starting goaltender.

If anyone in the NHL was willing to take a chance on Emery, it would be as a backup at a fraction of his last contract. Then he would have to wait it out and hope for a chance to show he worth giving a starting position.

After a year or two in Russia, my guess is someone will see he's playing well. They might not be quick to give him a starting job, but will give him a chance to play a "1b" role.

Hopefully the time away will help Ray Emery learn to be the team player he needs to be, and eventually become a starter again in the NHL.