Broad Street Heroes

Emery and Biron have met before

The Martin Biron Era (can you call his time here that?) has come to a close in Philadelphia.  Biron signed a one year deal with the New York Islanders today, joining Rick DiPietro and Dwayne Roloson in the battle for starting goaltender on the NHL’s worst team.  Earlier in free agency Flyers backup goaltender Antero Nittymaki also left the team, opting to play in Tampa Bay next season.

With the departure of these two goalies, the Flyers have put the pressure on recently signed goalie Ray Emery.  Emery, who signed with the Flyers earlier this summer, has been known to be a very skilled goaltender, but his off the ice antics has many people concerned.  Emery led the Ottawa Senators to the Stanley Cup Finals only two years ago, but last season he played for a team in the Russian Hockey League because nobody wanted to deal with his issues.  He left his Moscow based club after getting into a fight with an equipment manager, which was the latest of his off ice crimes (this happened on the bench though).

Emery did make the All Star team in Russia and posted very good numbers in goal, which is one of the factors that went into the reasons for the Flyers signing him.  Throughout his career, Emery has been involved in many incidents, including fighting former Flyer Martin Biron.  He also has been accused of threatening to kill a man while driving in Ottawa, and he earned numerous tickets when driving his Hummer around the city.

Even though there are all of these questions surrounding Ray Emery, I think that he will be a great addition to this Flyers team.  One thing he has is that fire to play, and to play well.  He stated that the reason he gets so mad is because he wants to win, and if he doesn’t win then it upsets him.  Isn’t that the attitude we want in a goalie?  He also knows that playing for the Flyers is his last chance to play in the NHL, and if he messes up again then he is done.  I hope that he makes the most of this opportunity because if he can be a solid #1 goalie, then the odds of the Flyers bringing the Stanley Cup back to Philly get stronger and stronger by the day.