Emery to Russia

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Big Tall

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The Ottawa Sun has the report up...

http://www.ottawasun.com/Sports/Senators/2008/07/09/6105001-sun.html

Ray Emery's NHL career is taking a detour -- through Russia, where he'll collect his paycheque in rubles.

The goaltender -- whose contract was bought out by the Senators last month -- has agreed to a one-year deal which could pay him in excess of $2 million plus bonuses next season with Atlant Mytishchi of the newly-formed Continental Hockey League in Russia, Sun Media has learned.

While the 25-year-old hoped to play in the NHL next season, his agent J.P. Barry got just three calls.

Barry says Emery looks at this as a good opportunity to get his career back on track.

Emery couldn't be reached for comment because he's out of the country for Chris Kelly's wedding this week, but Barry confirmed all that's left to get the deal done is some paperwork.


"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 Barry. "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.

"However, given his offer from Atlant, in Ray's circumstances, we feel the best thing for him to do is play as the No. 1 goalie with this club. Ray is excited about the opportunity and just wants to go back to focusing on being the best goalie that he can be. He knows there will be a lot of pressure, but he's ready for that and he's looking forward to moving on."

Mytishchi is the second-largest city in Russia and is a suburb of Moscow. The Atlant organization just built a new 10,000-seat arena.

Former New York Rangers great Jaromir Jagr, who played in Russia during the lockout, just signed a two-year, $14-million contract with Avangard Omsk last week and has the option for a third season if all goes well.

Emery isn't going to be able to waste much time getting overseas. Barry said the contract calls for him to be in Helsinki, Finland on July 15 for a two-week training camp.

In Emery's case it might be a stopgap until he can get his status back in the NHL and he is aware he needs to play to do that. After leading the Senators to the Stanley Cup final against the Anaheim Ducks in 2006, Emery lost the No. 1 job to Martin Gerber last season and made the situation worse with off-ice antics.

"He's a talented goalie who wants to play," said Barry.

Emery didn't have sparkling numbers to go with the off-ice distraction he became last season. He finished with a 12-13-4 record and an .890 save percentage.

With Emery due to make $6.75 million over the next two seasons, Senators GM Bryan Murray instead opted to buy the goalie out of his contract for approximately $2.25 million, rather than bring him back next year.
Click to expand...
 
I was real glad to see this post. I was afraid that Lombardi was going to offer him a contract to play for the Kings.
 
Maybe a run in with the KGB will be the attitude adjustment Emery BADLY needs. Considering the stupid money the Russian League can potentially throw at players, Emery signing for 2 million shows that nobody wanted that distraction on their team this year.
 

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