Ray Emerey and Dan Cloutier on Waivers

To no surprise from anyone in the hockey world, the Ottawa Senators proved that they were indeed fed up with goalie Ray Emery’s antics and decided this weekend to put the goalie on waivers. Emery, who not that long ago was considered a blue chip prospect, is coming off a nightmare season that saw him fighting teammates during practices, and in separate incidents arriving a handful of times late for practice which resulted in getting yelled at by ex- Sens Coach John Paddock who told him not to even bother dressing. Emery who two years ago backstopped Ottawa to the Stanley Cup finals was apparently a negative influence in the dressing room due to not being happy and complaining about not playing. “We will see if anyone claims (Emery),” Sens GM Bryan Murray said. “If not (buyout) is the plan. It’s unfortunate. I am sure Ray will one day get his game turned around and get things in order and be a good goalie for someone.” Murray, who took over from Paddock half way through last year, and often butt heads with his stubborn goalie made it clear in an April press conference once the Sens were eliminated by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round that Emery will not be back and that his antics definitely had a negative effect on the team. “I don’t know if he was a total distraction or not, but the fact is he didn’t play down the stretch and he didn’t play in the playoffs, and that was a result of him not having played as well as he did a year ago,” said Murray. “He didn’t in my opinion commit to the team in the way that we think our players have to commit.”   

Emery for his part admitted along with his agent JP Barry that he is not surprised to be put on waivers for the purpose of the Sens buying out his contract. Barry said that he believed Emery would be traded as opposed to being bought out.  “Yeah it was a really bad year for me,” said Emery back in April. “The worst year I’ve had on and off the ice it just wasn’t enjoyable at all.” “I learned a lot of things but that’s about it. Not to many positives.”

Senators Captain Daniel Alfredsson, commented that Emery who again wasn’t to popular in the room is still a great goalie but that it would be better for him to move on from the Senators. Prior to the Senators putting Emery who went 12-13-4 last year with a 3.13 GAA on waivers, there were rumors that the St. Louis Blues had some interest. Time will tell if he can resurrect his career and turn around that reputation of not being a team player.

Also being put on waivers this weekend for the purpose of being bought out was Los Angeles Kings goalie Dan Cloutier who started in only nine games last year.

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