^{(Photo: Len Redkoles/Getty Images)}

After being bought out by the Ottawa Senators, Ray Emery has officially signed a one-year deal with the Atlant Mytishchi of the Russian Continental Hockey League. The deal is reportedly worth over $2 million plus bonuses. His agent, J.P. Barry has said that there hadn't been anybody wanting to take a chance on Emery and that going overseas to give him a chance to "turn the corner" might be a good thing.

I always thought that there would have been somebody out there willing to take a chance on Emery, given the fact that he wouldn't have been able to command a very high price tag. However, given the fact that pretty much everybody's goaltending situation appears to be sorted out, the best Emery could have hoped for would be a no. 2 position somewhere, most likely on a two-way deal. At least in Russia he gets a chance to be a starter and hopefully improve his game (and his head space) enough to come back to the NHL.

I really do wish for the best for Emery and hopes he'll be able to stay out of trouble in Russia. He'll be in a foreign country and not really know anybody so I hope he just concentrates on improving his game. He's a young kid with the potential of a very bright future and hopefully he doesn't screw it up. And yes, there's another reason to be concerned about Emery going to Russia as Erin has pointed out. Russia's a rather xenophobic country, fill in your own blanks.

In Happier News...
I have a reader from Sweden named Kent who has sent a long some information regarding Senators prospect Erik Karlsson. Karlsson is indeed staying in Sweden next year. His junior contract with Frolunda allows him to play next year with the senior Frolunda club with the exact same contract except on a rather low salary. Kent has also given me a nice translation of the Peter Regin clip I posted yesterday of him making fools out of the Swedish defensemen:

"Peter Regin.. oh, he does that real nice, Peter Regin... and another one, Peter Regin! Peter Regin! And he goes down too far! He's still got the puck. Listed by Ottawa is he, this talented dane. He still has the puck. Look, he's still got... it's still Peter Regin!"

The other guy (the calm one) is saying at the end: he's having a terrific shift, topped with this and a hit against Jämtin. (who by the way signed a contract with Rangers a couple of days ago).

The more you know! Kent has also kindly offered to give us any updates about our European prospects while they hone their craft overseas. We're going international here at SI!

Labels: erik karlsson, peter regin, prospects, ray emery, russian league, what the kids are up to