March 24, 2008 :: 4:20pm ET Real-Time Journal:
From Russia with love; Emery would be welcomed back By David Pagnotta & Dmitry Chesnokov TheFourthPeriod.com

[Toronto, ON] -- Controversy seems to follow goalie Ray Emery wherever he goes these days, from his exile from Ottawa last year to his altercation on the bench in Russia this season.

Regardless how many clouds may be overshadowing him, Emery proved he's more than capable of shutting down the opposition this year for Mytishchi Atlant of the Kontinental Hockey League.

Emery played in 36 games this season, posting a 22-8-0 record with a 2.12 goals-against-average and a .926 save percentage.

In an exclusive interview with TFP, Atlant head coach Fedor Kanareikin indicated that he was pleased with Emery's performance this past season, despite reports suggesting otherwise.

"I would like to say that I was overall satisfied with the job Emery did here," Kanareikin said. "There were some great games for him. There were others when I felt that he didn't do enough. He is a good goaltender. I would just like him to be more consistent in his work."

Emery, 26, signed a one-year deal believed to be worth $2 million with Atlant during the off-season. He was one of a handful non-European players to sign with a KHL club for the 2008-09 season.

Kanareikin felt the Hamilton, Ontario native adjusted quickly to the KHL and the Russian lifestyle.

"A person who got to a certain level in the NHL of course had some difficulties coming here and playing the first year," Kanareikin explained. "First of all, I think he was trying to show himself well, he came from the strongest league where he was valued. There was a period of adjustment, but I think he handled it.

"He blended well with the team. I don't think he faced any problems with the team. And the team treated him extremely well."

Emery also made a few friends along the way, whereas in Ottawa, he was cast as a problem-child and a cancer in the dressing room.

"He had friends in the locker room," Kanareikin said. "He was closer to some people. He had certain problems because he did not speak Russian. That's why he was more comfortable communicating with foreign players and our Russian guys who spoke English."

The media hype surrounding Emery didn't compare to the attention he received while playing for the Senators.

Because of the language barrier, he wasn't bombarded by cameras and reporters during his time in Russia. The spotlight seemed to follow Emery while in Ottawa, however, with stories ranging from being late to practice to an automotive incident related to alleged road rage.

Emery did, however, manage to make headlines on this side of the pond when he left Atlant in the middle of the season because of a contract dispute. According to reports, Emery wasn't receiving his pay in a timely fashion.

"Every player has a contract. Every player signs that contract. We all got into this current [economic] crisis," Kanareikin said. "But I just want to say that I had absolutely no problems with him. We established the boundaries respectful to each other. We communicated well. And the fact that he is impulsive, fiery, not an easy person was not the most important thing for me. In spite of being, perhaps, a difficult person in some aspects, Emery was a true professional. And that for me was the most important."

Emery also made the news for a well document altercation with who was believed to be a team trainer – it was, in fact, a team doctor.

With videos posted all over YouTube showing the doctor trying to place a hat, originally reported as a team sponsor's hat, on Emery's head. Emery then shoved the doctor and charged at him.

"That was our doctor and not a trainer," Kanareikin clarified. "We played in Yaroslavl that day, and I pulled Emery after three goals. I knew exactly how to work with him knowing his impulsive personality. But the incident happened simply because the doctor wanted to put a hat on Emery's head to prevent him from getting sick because he was sweating. But Emery, perhaps, had his own opinion. I don't think it's a big deal. He was just unsatisfied with himself, with his game, and that was the reason for this incident."

With Atlant's season in the books and Emery back in Canada, many will be interested to see how many NHL teams pursue him this summer.

Despite signing a one-year deal with Atlant, his KHL rights remain the club's property, should he choose to return to the league next season. In the NHL, though, Emery is an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any club he chooses.

Sources tell TFP there are a number of clubs interested in Emery, though his role may be delegated to a backup or platoon position.

If Emery's unable to find a home in the NHL, Kanareikin said he would welcome the netminder back with open arms.

"Of course I would be very interested to work with him again," he confirmed. "He has a lot left in store. And if he comes here for his second year the work will be different. Because he adjusted, he knows our system, and he started to understand Russian a little bit. That's why I think his game will improve."

*Special thanks to Pavel Lysenkov of Sovetsky Sport for his help with the interview.

David Pagnotta is the Editor-in-Chief of The 4th Period Magazine and covers the Toronto Maple Leafs and the NHL for TheFourthPeriod.com. He is also a contributing writer for NBCSports.com and MSNBC. His journals appear throughout the entire season exclusively on TFP.