I found this quite surprising, as well. Emery is a better goaltender than both Gerber and Auld, why the Senators didn't give him another chance is beyond me. But I agree, he'll be back in the NHL soon enough.

Interesting move, that's for sure.

I really don't understand why no one picked him up. I'm sure after all the bad press and "incidents," Emery and his agent would've been open to fairly low offers. Then again, perhaps playing in a less than favorable situation in Russia might show NHL GMs that he is indeed serious about turning things aorund. (I'm sure he could've found a cushier position as a backup in the NHL, but chose to get more palying time overseas.)

Now, I'm not saying this guy is a great netminder or anything like that, but he could've been the #1 keeper for maybe 2-5 teams this season, and a solid backup for the majority of teams in the league.

Of course, that also speaks volumes about the shallow goaltending pool in the NHL these days. Maybe it was a mistake for the league to invest so heavily on QMJHL goalies (draftwise) in the 1990s. Everyone was so enamoured with Patrick Roy's butterfly style, and the fact all Quebec League goalies were emulating said style, that a ton of good prospects outside of Quebec were missed. Now we're seeing the results of it.

How can you be surprised Nance? If even 10% of the rumours are true, he is a liability. I watched him in the Manures and he wasn't good and I was shocked he made the Sens. A metamorphasis took place when he made it to the bigs and his ego took over. He never was a team guy only an Emery guy who loved ink...everywhere and guys like Garrioch loved to give it to him. Don't you think it curious that he effectively has been banished by the league...why do you think? Study some of the films...he is athletic, but has a crappy glove and loses his angle severely. making saves is complicated enough when you are straight, but doing it after partying with Snoop-dog and company makes it impossible...perhaps that is why he let in 6 goals the last game. Russia suits him fine...he will blend in nicely with others like him: Yashin and Jagr...'cept they had talent.

Yes, there are a lot of rumours out there. Yep, he isn't exactly a hall 'o famer by anyone's imagination.

But take a look at some of the players on the roster last season. We have some dubious activities by Redden, a guy who killed a teammate by driving like an idiot in Heatley, and a bunch of faceless yes-men who let everything in the room slide to form the greatest team collapse in NHL history. If you take out Fisher and Alfie, there's not a whole lot of halos in the group.

Personally, the big problem is with management. Emery should've been "set straight", along with half the team, over two years ago. But, what's done is done. We can't go back into the past and change it.

I'll tell you one thing, if we were in around the years of 1995-2000, all this would be moot as Emery wouldn't have had the talent to make it to the big leagues. For some unknown reason, the goaltending in the league lately has been horrible.

I guess most netminders got a little lazy with the old hooking and holding style before and were so used to just "positioning" themselves simply to block the net, they all forget how to actually stop and smother the puck. I mean really, how often to we see goalies actually CATCH the puck, or smother it with their pads? They're all taught nothing but positioning now - nothing about STOPPING the puck. And that leads to rebound after rebound after rebound.

All you need nowadays to be a goalie is a fairly big body and the ability to stand on your skates for 30 minutes at a time. The "skill" the "art" of stopping the puck is nearly gone.

Anyways, while I'm not exactly an Emery fan, it is sad to see someone with some talent throw it away like that. Hopefully he'll get his head screwed on straight and turn things around.

I find it hard to believe that someone in the NHL didn't want to give him a chance. The GM's club is a harsh club *cough Muckler, Nolan cough*. One has to wonder if Brian sent a strong message around the league in order to teach Emery a lesson. I know, a bit far fetched, but you really never know.

Nancy, well said, I am also not a Emery fan, but it is very sad to see someone with that much talent screw things up; I hope for his sake he turns things around.

Cheers

I just read the Bell article. I was looking at the ufa list 2 weeks ago and seen his name and thought he might be a good pick up. This kids played great here in Ottawa for the 67's and maybe alittle home cooking will get him where he should he.

I'm amazed that nobody is commenting on the Jason Smith signing. I think this is the best move the Sens have made in years. His leadership, grit & guts will be a welcome addition to a team sadly lacking in those areas. One thing puzzling me is why the Sens are throwing money after mobile defensemen who don't play well defensively? I think Schubert should be the man. Good enough defensively to play D while killing pealties, good enough offensively to play point on the power play. Combine this with youth, size, mobility, mean streak & a 100 mile per hour shot & I think by mid season we have a great defenseman. The 2 minutes he plays as a 4th line winger are not near as valueable to the team as his playing as a top 4 D.

Re: Emery

HE was apparently offered tryouts with no guaranteed contracts by a few teams.
Fact is he became a huge distraction through his off and on ice antics.

You CANNOT bring attention to yourself in Ottawa, or fans WILL eat you alive. Slip up, whether you're a coach, GM or player and the knives will come out and be planted in your back. That's how we roll.

RE: Smith

It's a good acquisition but don't expect a lot of "rah rah rah" just yet. WE'll know how good he and Hartsburg are during the playoffs. If the team advances to the third round and beyond, it will have been a good acquistion. If not, only a year on his contract.

Lastly, anyone catch Wayne Scanlan (great reporter) saying this was becoming a "Bryan Murray team"?

I can only hope not...Murray teams don't end up as big winners while he's directly involved in the team's direction...

Hi Jimmy...Ihave always been a Smith fan but he is old and slow but still tough. I hope he adds something. I couldn't agree more with you on Schubert. He is being wasted playing up front. He possesses one of the hardest shots and is very fast (came in second a couple fo years ago in the skills competition). Our "management" will not let him develop in his core position. He is big and lovesw to throw the body around. You are right on Jim!

Jim, Bobby, you're both right. While I'd be the first one to trumpet skating and speed in the new NHL, I think a defensive defenseman in Smith can get away with just being an average skater. If he sticks to what he does best and doesn't extend himself, and knowing his strong character and excellent hockey sense, I'm sure he'll do well. Besides, there's some intangible benefits to getting someone who can be a positive influence in the room.

Schubert...always forget about that guy. It really seems like the Sens are messing with his development by switching back and forth so often. While it's a nice luxury to have a jack of all trades on the team, it really isn't fair to Shubert's future in the NHL.

Brendan Bell.....that (potential) signing kinda worries me. If he couldn't crack a weak defensive roster in Phoenix, just how good can he be? I don't know, I honestly don't remember how he played with Toronto.

I will tell you how he played Nancy, very, very soft. I remember him well as a Junior. He played with speed and skill...but like so very many, he could not take it to a higher level...probably for a variety of reasons. He looks timid and doesn't want the puck. I love guys who want the puck. Bell is fodder for Bingo and that is all.

I guess that explains why I don't recall his exploits in the NHL. Too bad. It would be nice to see more Ottawa connections on the roster, but they have to be able to contribute.

Unfortunately we haven't heard the end of Razor. I can't help but think his off ice behaviour in Ottawa over the last few years will continue in Russia. I hope he is extra careful as the Russian police and their legal system can and will make his life most upsetting. His antics won't be tolerated for a second and with his wealth, he will certainly be a prime candidate for extortion etc... I hope he registers at the Canadian Embassy in case he needs consular assistance down the road. Good luck Ray and enjoy the Russian lifestyle.