Ray's Russian Rage

Former Ottawa Senators goalie Ray Emery is playing in Russia this year to try and improve his image from a hot head goalie who's weak in net and really just likes to get in fights. Though it doesn't look like much has changed in his time overseas.

That's because a video has surfaced on YouTube which shows Emery getting into a fight with a team official beside the player's bench.

The unidentified man tries to put a baseball cap on Emery, then the two exchange words and Emery responds with a solid left hook to the guy's face. The man is chased down the hallway by Emery where more punches are thrown, until Rayzer is finally restrained.

When asked about the incident by Rogers Sportsnet, Emery's agent J.P. Barry said he hadn’t heard of any problems with Emery in Russia, adding that his client was happy playing there.

Look Ray, can we talk? I hate wearing extra clothes as much as the next guy (pants especially) but you can't go around punching people because of it. That's the sort of reason why nobody wants anything to do with you in the NHL. So just simmer down, and put on the hat. Okay? Good talk.

Take a look at the video down below. Does that look like a guy happy to be there to you? Or maybe he just has a really strong anti-hat policy. That could be it too.

Radulov Suspended Indefinitely

The Nashville Predators have suspended forward Alexander Radulov indefinitely without pay for the 2008-09 season.

This past off-season, Radulov signed a contract with UFA of the Russian super league KHL despite having one year remaining on his existing contract with Nashville.

Radulov said that he informed the Predators that he wanted to return to play in Russia and that because there was at the time no active transfer agreement between the leagues, he did not believe he could be forced to return to play for Nashville.

So you showed him Nashville? He didn't want to play in Nashville and you have made that possible. It's kind of like when you suspend a kid from school as if it's supposed to be punishment but it's really a three day vacation.

To And From Russia With Love

A Cold War was diverted today as the NHL reached an agreement with the new Russian hockey league, the Continental Hockey League.

The deal temporarily ends the threat of players being lured away by big money deals from Russian clubs.

The pact to respect player contracts across all borders followed offers made last month by teams in Russia's Continental Hockey League - which begins play in September - to entice Evgeni Malkin out of the final year of his deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

It was reached at a meeting of the NHL, the NHL Players' Association and international hockey leagues in Zurich, the home of the International Ice Hockey Federation.

"Everyone in the room agreed that for the foreseeable future everyone will respect everybody's contracts." NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said.

The Continental league, known as the KHL in Russia, will have 24 teams - including one each in neighbouring Belarus and Kazakhstan - that can have five overseas players on a 25-man roster.

I hope there's a team in Kazakhstan and that it is somehow affiliated with Borat. Maybe their mascot can be a bear, or Pamela Andersen.

I just noticed that I've written two stories about Russia in the past two days. Hope nobody thinks I'm some sort of communist sympathizer. Because you know, I certainly do not support that...*nervous laughter*

Ray In Russia

Disgraced former Ottawa Senators goalie Ray Emery is making like Jaromir Jagr and heading to Russia.

This according to TSN who broke the news reporting that the former Sens netminder has agreed to a one year deal with Atlant Mytishchi of the new Russian Continental Hockey League.

Atlant Mytishchi, doesn't that just roll off your tongue...

"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 Emery's agent J.P. 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.".

The deal is reportedly worth in excess of $2 million plus bonuses. I bet you most of the bonuses' have to do with him actually showing up and not being a pain in the ass.