Flyers showing interest in once-troubled goalie
The Flyers have shown interest in signing a goalie who helped the Ottawa Senators reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007, but has a history of off-ice problems.
Flyers showing interest in once-troubled goalie
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Flyers have shown interest in signing a goalie who helped the Ottawa Senators reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007, but has a history of off-ice problems.
Ray Emery, who put together a 12-3 record in the first three playoff rounds two years ago to steer the Senators into the Finals against Anaheim - and excelled in Russia this season - is on the Flyers' radar screen, general manager Paul Holmgren confirmed on Monday.
In 2006-07, Emery had a 33-16-6 record, a 2.47 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage, and he was 13-7 in the playoffs. The next year, he slumped to 12-13-4, 3.13 and .890.
Known for his flashy clothes, exotic cars and extravagant lifestyle, Emery conceded he was a heavy partier in a 2008 interview with USA Today. During his time with Ottawa, he was involved in some well-publicized confrontations with teammates, and there were rumors about Emery and drug use.
Emery, 26, nicknamed “Sugar Ray” and “Razor,” could not be reached for comment early today, but in the USA Today interview last summer, when asked to describe his use of recreational drugs, he said: "I really don't want to go into details. I'm not a saint and I'm not in jail, either. I think I've learned a lot of lessons. I didn't feel comfortable. I got myself into some bad ways. It took some time to clear my head."
The Senators waived him and then bought out his contract after the 2007-08 season, and he subsequently signed a $2 million deal to play last season in Russia.
"I don't think anyone would disagree that Emery is a sound, competitive goalie that just two years ago won 13 playoff games in leading his team to the Stanley Cup Finals," said Holmgren, who admits to having a soft spot for players with a troubled past. "Before we look at signing any player, we do our homework on that player, especially with his off-ice lifestyle and work habits."
In Russia’s Continental League, Emery posted a 22-8 record, 1.86 goals-against average and .926 save percentage this season.
The Flyers’ two goalies, Marty Biron and Antero Niittymaki, are unrestricted free agents. Holmgren continues to have talks with Biron's agent.
Emery's career NHL numbers (2.71 GAA, .907 save percentage) are slightly below Biron's (2.59, .911).
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Upgrading the defense should be the Flyers' off-season priority if they want to become a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
The team's wish list should include signing free agent Mike Komisarek and dealing for Jay Bouwmeester _ and signing him before he becomes a free agent on July 1.
The economy is down and Komisarek is coming off a disappointing, injury-plagued season, so perhaps the Flyers can sign him to a backloaded deal that will only absorb, say, a $2.5-$3 million cap hit next season. We shall see.
I've outlined the moves I would make in Sunday's Inquirer. Click here to read the story.
was this article necessary?— bitlrc- I disagreed so much. If they can keep Knuble: Gagne-Richards-Giroux, Hartnell-Carter-Lupul, VanRiemsdyk-Briere-Knuble, Carcillo/Cote-Powe-Asham. This allows JVR and Knuble to protect Briere and Knuble will definitely need to backcheck for Briere and rookie JVR. If Knuble goes, they need someone like Moen, Pahlsson, Axelsson, Niedermayer or Betts to check and kill penalties. On D: Timonen-Coburn, Bouwmeester-Parent, Sbisa-Oduya. Timonen and Coburn are better together and Parent would stay at home to free Bouwmeester. Oduya is a Devils defenseman, making him extremely responsible.— Fandink
- That's a nice thought Sam, but whose salary are you dumping for this? You've gotta dump Lupul before the his contract extension and NTC clause kick in July 1st. PLUS we still need to sign a goalie, Marty or Nitty don't cut it. They need to get Giguere from the Ducks and dump some salary to do it. Komisarek is a headcase, why the Flyers want him. I think you have to try to keep Knuble since he's the only one in the Flyer's dressing room with his name on the Cup.— CarterRocks
- bitlrc, of course this article wasn't necessary but he's afraid that no one read his other delusional article. Fandlink, you're not gonna be able to keep all of the forwards because of Cap issues.— CarterRocks
- Fan, how do you plan to pay for all those guys and be under the cap? Besides, Oduya sucks unless he plays the Flyers.— realdeal91
- Do you understand that a backloaded deal doesn't matter to the cap? It's the average yearly payment. Briere is getting paid $8mm this year, but his cap hit is $6.5mm. If Komisarek signed a deal that paid him $2.5mm this year and $6mm the next, his cap hit would be $4.25mm BOTH years.— JSaq
- I love the three sentence analysis...very intriguing!— Diamond Jim Brady
- In what league is Komisarek getting $2.5MM? Jones makes more than that, and he never even hit the open market. Getting those two players would cost over $12MM at the very least. Maybe that could be worked out...if they didn't sign a goalie. Priority #1 is obviously goaltending, by default. With no one under contract and no candidates in the farm system to take the reins, getting someone to play between the pipes will be the first (and second and third) thing the Flyers look to accomplish.— sheerrw
That sounds great, but we don't have room against the cap for more than 1 major move, and a couple of minor ones. We can sign guys, but not without trading expensive pieces. Lupul, Jones, Knuble, Biron, Nitty, and possibly Gags & Carle. Would have to be moved or unsigned in order to do most of these things. It's not a question of 'who do we sign' as it is 'who do we let go'? My thoughts are Lupul, Jones and Nitty. Possibly Biron if we seriously upgrade in goal. Everyone else is either Maturing, or brings too much to the team to let go.— flyler- So you are telling me that Ray Emery will lead this team through the Stanley Cup playoffs??? Actually, what I am hearing is we can get this bad boy goalie .... cheap!— RJM16
- Emery stinks....yet another re-tread in goal. This is why we can't find one! Burke, Hackett, Vanbiesbrouck, Cechmanek, Esche, Biron, Emery....they are all the same! Why would Ottawa unload him if he was any good? Did anyone see Ottawa last year? They didn't exactly have a Plan B, and they dropped off considerably. The goalies I'd pursue are possibly Giguere (if he comes cheap) or Josh Harding from Minnesota. Maybe Price if the Canadiens have given up on him. But no no NO to the scrubs like Emery, Fernandez, Biron, etc. ENOUGH!— UncleEddie
- What about Manny Legace? A little old, but a good goalie who can't be asking for big money after St. Louis demoted him this year...— jpb
- Ray Emery is a cancer in the clubhouse. I don't think this is the kind of attitude adjustment the Flyers need.— BobbyD
And how do you justify Ray Emery being a cancer in the clubhouse? You've had mistakes in your too haven't you???? Emery would be a major upgrade over Biron. Carey Price? Are you dumb? Why would Montreal give up on this 21 year old former first round pick?— jamarder- Thumbs down on Ray Emery. I'd rather just keep Biron.— tdcuse
