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.
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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.
pizano13, players on the long term injured reserve's salaries do not count against the salary cap. Rathje hasn't counted for years and Hatcher's salary did not count this season. The reality is Phaneuf has a long term, expensive deal with a no-trade clause and he has not lived up to that contract so far. The Flyers have about 50 million on the books right now for next season, not including Mike Knuble, a back up goalie, a depth center, or any free agent defenseman that are pursued. The cap has not been established yet but could be anywhere between 54 and where it is now. We could unload a considerable amount of salary by trading Carle and Lupul and by either trading or demoting Jones.— DRocco- No on JayBo, Phaneuf, and Komisarek - All three are too expensive/slightly overrated - Flyers should sign UFA Roberto Luongo after next season. They would become a true Cup contender. One defenseman won't make much of a difference this season, especially since the Flyers would have to give up Gagne or Lupul because of their cap problems— Kingsalami
- Pens won't be laughing when Emery whacks Crosby on one of his glass ankles.— element_104
- madden??? why the H3LL would they sign madden? exactly what we need, a defensive centerman. wasn't richards a finalist for some award this year? mean shut down d-man. say it with me guys- MEAN. SHUT-DOWN. D-MAN. we need somebody to knock down the surplus of below average players who leave matt carle shaking his head at the blue line every game.— mrkmcc
- St patrick33.. have you even watched the flyers and emery over the years? what kind of fan are you? emery took the sens toa a stanley cup final. oh and look at his stats in russia, ridiculously good. sens fans app LOVED him there--for proof go look at the emery articles on here and look at what the sens fans said, mainly that he is a number one goalie that isnt as bad as people make him out to be. oh and homer has done a terrible job? wait remind me, who got hartnell timonen briere lupul and completely rebuilt the team into a contender overnight. oh please, know your facts before you say it. the flyers know when they need help and theyll do it. i cannnot wait until emery owns and we are in contention, once again.— llucc10
