nhlhockey

Did Ray Emery deserve to be run out of the NHL?

Initially, I think, well, yes … he publicly bad-mouthed his coach and team, misbehaved at practice (if he bothered to show up), and just created a bad team atmosphere.

But I’ve always thought that Ray Emery got a bad deal. Not necessarily now, but before. In 2005-2006, when Emery was serving as Dominik Hasek’s backup for the Ottawa Senators, Hasek injured himself at the Olympics, limiting himself to 43 games that season. The rookie Emery stepped in and carried the team for half the year, posting acceptable numbers. He showed he could play under pressure and carry the load.

In the off-season of 2006, the Senators went out and signed Martin Gerber, who was splitting goaltending duties with Cam Ward in Carolina. Gerber was given a starting-goalie’s money on a multi-year deal, and then the starting goalie’s job.

Granted Gerber was coming off winning a Stanley Cup, but he didn’t do it alone (and, let’s face it, Edmonton struggled in the finals). I thought it was a slap in the face to Emery, who I felt earned at least a serious shot at the starting job. Turns out injuries limited Martin Gerber’s 2006-2007 season, and Ray Emery once again carried the team.

So for the 2007-2008 season, what did Ray Emery get?

Another seat on the bench.

Can you really blame him for being disappointed and a bit disgusted with the Ottawa Senators management?

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