Emery signing a plus only if it leads to a quality defenseman
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Emery signing a plus only if it leads to a quality defenseman
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Goalie Ray Emery was articulate and honest - and didn’t throw a single punch at Flyers trainer Jim McCrossin when he was introduced at Wednesday’s news conference in Voorhees.
OK, that was a cheap shot. But when you come with Emery’s baggage, you expose yourself to all types of criticism.
That said, Emery could emerge as the bargain of the year.
The Flyers announced Wednesday they had agreed to a one-year deal with the 6-foot-2, 196-pound Emery. The deal is for $1.5 million, and if Emery returns to his 2006-07 form - he led Ottawa to the Stanley Cup Finals - the Flyers will be feeling very good about themselves.
Though I was in favor of re-signing Marty Biron, I like this move - if it enables the Flyers to sign Jay Bouwmeester or Mike Komisarek, a pair of defensemen who can become free agents on July 1.
It would have taken about $3.5 million to $4 million a year to re-sign Biron. So the Flyers’ savings, coupled with some other cost-cutting moves (a trade of Joffrey Lupul?), could help the club improve its defense in the free-agent market.
In the playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Biron was not the reason the Flyers lost in six games. The Flyers’ defense and Jeff Carter’s scoring slump were bigger factors.
Emery, of course, has had a long list of off-the-ice problems, including an altercation with a Russian trainer in late January. There were also fights with Ottawa teammates, missed practices, suspensions and, oh, about 30 driving violations.
But he seemed contrite on Wednesday, seemed genuinely sincere about re-inventing himself after being, in effect, exiled from the NHL and sent to Russia.
He will add some fire to a laid-back locker room, and he should be more physical in scrambles around the net - a Biron shortcoming in the Game 6 loss to Pittsburgh.
The addition of Emery is a win-win situation for the team and the goalie, said Peter Luukko, the Comcast-Spectacor president.
“I think it’s a pretty good formula when you have a hungry young man who wants to prove himself,” Luukko said.
Emery, whose heavy partying became a part of his identity in Ottawa, vowed that his off-ice conduct will be much improved.
“At the same time, I’m not saying I’m not going to be a fiery guy,” he said. “I play hockey. I throw it out there. Like I said, I know I have the opportunity and I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize that or make people who are giving me this opportunity look bad.”
One of those people is John Paddock, who coached Emery during his tumultuous time in Ottawa and is now the Phantoms' coach.
Paddock recommended that the Flyers sign Emery.
Emery said he wishes he would reverse his final season in Ottawa in 2007-08.
“I didn’t have a great work ethic at the start of the year,” he admitted. “I came in out of shape and wasn’t willing to work like I had in the past. I made a lot of mistakes, but I know this is a last chance for me. I have that knowledge of that past and I’m getting a shot to correct those things.”
Coach John Stevens recently spent several hours with Emery and said he was impressed with the goalie’s makeup.
“He admits he made mistakes and now he’s ready to move on and make amends _ and we’re glad he’s going to do it here,” Stevens said.
On paper, Emery and Biron are about equal. But if signing Emery frees cap space that helps the Flyers land a top-notch defenseman, it will be a move that was worth the risk.
The next move is up to general manager Paul Holmgren.
* * * * * * *
Holmgren seemed upbeat about the possibility of re-signing potential free-agent Mike Knuble….Holmgren also said Antero Niittymaki’s hip injury is not as bad as first feared. There is still a chance that Nitty, a potential free agent, will re-sign with the Flyers and be Emery’s backup....For what it's worth, Emery said he scored over 1,300 on his SAT.
Komisarek is not an upgrade over anyone they have now.— Captain Splendor- Yes, Komisarek is an upgrade, trust me he is worth it if the Flyers can get him. Emery will surprise people, like it or not.— cote32
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- emery is an upgrade. komisarek would bring a physical presence in which the flyers don't have. Jay Bo is reportedly going to Calgary. Phaneuf is on the block and i would love for the flyers to somehow jump on that. bottom line: Flyers need to ditch Lupul and any other soft player we have. bring back Upshall. he was our heart.— ronner
- Komisarek is physical, but beyond slow. Jaybo is really good but wayyyy overrated. If we get jaybo then lupol and jones are gone and jones will not be missed... Emery is a great signing— fman727
- yahmpy: why this pressing need for an offensive defenseman? Take a look at their forwards -- thats more than enough offense, for any team. Heres a suggestion for you -- focus on defensemen that play DEFENSE. I'm not saying Komisarek is Bobby Orr Jr. but my god, he is a huge upgrade over Jones, Alberts et al.— UncleEddie
- If Jay Bo goes to Calgary, its because Phaneuf was sent to Florida. Phaneuf is overrated to begin with and has too many defensive letdowns.— arb
- Carchidi, was the cheap shot in the first paragraph really necessary? Especially considering you call yourself out on it?— Tartan69
- Emery is more than an upgrade. He's a proven goalie that wins games when the defense has an off night. I don't think we'll have the issues Ottawa had. Also, to ignore the defense right now would be a huge mistake. Komisarek is not the answer. And you also don't need a bunch of tall goons back there that are tough either. Losing Hatcher from last year's playoffs into this year definitely had an effect. You basically need a tall guy that can shut won Malkin (since you play him so much) and can keep guys like Ovechkin at bay (if you remember, Hatcher frustrated the hell out him). I would take a guy like Phaneuf in a heart beat and Calgary needs scoring, so you could dump Lupul and give them Jones to not take a huge cap hit. Matias Ohlund is also out there, and Pronger could be had for the right price (and if you think he's done, see Anaheim's playoff run from this year and how he's a playoff difference maker). But to get a big boy to get a big boy doesn't do you any good (Komisarek). He has to be a all tools guy, shut down capable, big, fast and can play a little PP. Basically a 6 foot version of Timonen. Bouwmeester is perfect, but going to cost too much. They have enough offense, the D should be their only focus right now.— RichardsCaptain08
- PHANEUF!— SWP
- Lots of sugar coating here. Emery is not an upgrade over Biron. This is strictly a salary cap move because Holmgren has done a terrible job. Emery had one great season and then was terrible. He played in the KHL (far inferior league) and failed to dominate. Off-the-ice, Emery is a definite downgrade relative to Biron. The Flyers are over the projected salary cap (~$55-56 mln) by a few millions without having signed a backup or some of their free agents. It's a complete pipe-dream to think they can make a play for Komi, JBo or Phaneuf. They would have to shed close to $7 mln in salary before even thinking of being a player for these guys. The Pens must be laughing thinking they'll have to face Emery next yr.— St.Patrick33
- @ St. Patrick... i'm sure the Pen's have forgotten all about game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals and are instead focused on who the Flyers (who they already beat in the playoffs if you can't recall) goaltender will be.— CrayzeeGuy
- St.Patrick33... What makes you such an expert on the situation ??? Go over to your Pens board.— JLG1
- Well, St. Pattrick it was Emery who beat the Pens in 2007 on his way to the Cup Finals, so I doubt they'll be laughing. Be careful what you wish for with J-Bo, he's been a minus player on a terrible team but scored a lot of goals, i.e., he's not a defensive defenseman which is what we need to stop Crosby and Malkin, period.the Flyers WILL shed salary and go after John Madden. He is the commited veteran player with Cup rings and can compliment Richards or Carter. Phaneuf gets out of position, but he is a killer - three steps above Komiserek.— MichaelZoe
