He's also whiny:
"Ray Emery saga continues on
Friday, December 28, 2007 | 02:42 PM ET
By Scott Morrison
CBC Sports
As much as the Ottawa Senators have insisted they do not have a controversy, it is a little like Chris Simon claiming he was… oh, never mind.
Fact is, the controversy exists and everything Ray Emery is doing these days confirms it.
And so the saga continues.
One day, not too long ago, of course, Senators coach John Paddock was openly questioning his goaltender's work ethic, especially when he failed to show up for an optional practice at a time when he was trying to get back to playing on a regular basis.
This past Thursday, after it had been confirmed that Martin Gerber would start for the seventh time in eight games later that same evening, on the heels of a wobbly start to boot, Emery hits the ice late for an optional practice and leaves in a hissy fit, sending water bottles flying with his stick, which was eventually pitched into the seats, as well.
That was followed up by comments from captain Daniel Alfredsson, who said the key to success, or in this case at least a return to action, is "to work hard in practice to show that you want to play."
Ouch.
Then on Friday morning, Emery turns up five minutes before practice only to be pointed back home by Paddock, who insisted his goaltender wasn't feeling well. That much we knew already, but now he is apparently also sick.
Whatever the day, whatever the story, the Senators have a problem. While some players have been indifferent (or is that guarded?) with their reactions, others such as Alfredsson have openly talked about Emery's questionable work habits.
Not that the controversy has affected the Senators overall play, but problems need to go away regardless because they can become a full-blown distraction. In this case, fixing it either means making the goaltender physically go away, or for him to resolve his issues with the team.
Trading the troubled goaltender may be possible, but realistically it is highly doubtful - especially with almost $7 million in salary on the table, plus what he is owed this year - that there is much of a market. And even if there is a taker, the return would not be good, not now, not under these circumstances.
It says here that Emery should feel miserable about not playing, that speaks to a competitive fire and that is admirable. But playing is also not a right, it is something that is earned, whether you helped to take a team to the Stanley Cup final or not.
If the coaches, and teammates, feel you aren't working hard enough to deserve a return to ice, then there is a very simple solution to the problem. Emery simply has to realize it and get to work. Literally."
When the normal reserved (read: boring) Daniel Alfredsson calls you out in the press, you know you're in trouble,
Maybe the Kings should trade for him. Even though he's overblown and a pain in the ass, he's better than that beer league goalie LaBarbara they're trying to pass off as an NHL netminder.
