Flyers showing interest in once-troubled goalie
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
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.
I'm in for Ray Emery ... i think we bring him in & bring Nitty back then go after Boemester. Biron didnt do a bad job at all but it'll probably cost too much to re-sign him. We can use that extra coin to go after one of the defencemen mentioned in the article.— Kennedy
Comment removed.- Sam, your suggestion that somehow the Flyers will get Mike K and JayBo are ridiculous. They need cap space for Cup space. They have to dump a number of salaries and sacrifice some of the goal scorers to become better balanced on defense and goal. As for Ray Emery, he WAS a cancer in the locker room, fought with the coach, and fought with his team -- maybe he sobered up in Russia.— MichaelZoe
- So is Emery the PacMan Jones of the NHL ? heheh— morvak
- If there's a way to get new fans in free agency, I'd suggest doing it!— phillysteel
- Even if Emery's cleaned up his game, the fact remains that he's apparently volatile and emotional - hmmm, can't imagine that being a problem for a goalie in a city like ours. :)— elpel
- Comment removed.
- jamarder - you are the dumb one! They've given up on him in each of the past two playoffs!!— UncleEddie
- jamarder - you are the dumb one! They've given up on him in each of the past two playoffs!!— UncleEddie
- How about investing the money instead in some alarm clocks so the team can wake up year when playoff time comes around? Sorry, they had some good games against the Pens, but they weren't ready for Game 1 and what happened after they went up 3-0 in Game 6 is one of the all-time Flyers chokes. No excuse why this franchise can't get a Cup after 35 years!— KDH
The Flyers MUST get rid of Briere because they will never get what they paid for and he is a defensive liability when he isn't on the injury list. They need to let both goalies walk and sign anyone to mind the nets. And most importantly - they need to deep six this Broad Street Bully mentality. It yielded two Stanley Cups nearly three-and-a-half DECADES ago.— Atomic Fury- The Flyers MUST get rid of Briere because they will never get what they paid for and he is a defensive liability when he isn't on the injury list. They need to let both goalies walk and sign anyone to mind the nets. And most importantly - they need to deep six this Broad Street Bully mentality. It yielded two Stanley Cups nearly three-and-a-half DECADES ago.— Atomic Fury
- Emery sports images of boxers on his mask. Got in trouble once for a controversial Mike Tyson mask. Wonder if he'd do a "Rocky" mask here?— KDH
- Really? Emery? Why not re-tread Esche from the Rusky league. PLEASE! I agree that keeping Biron is the better choice. I use to be on the give Niity a chance side, but if he still has hip problems, it's time to move on. Forget Komisarek, please. Stop with the man-crush on this guy. Really, add Bowmeester, let Knuble, Niity walk, get some picks for Jones, Carcillo, Lupul and take it from there. For those who are calling for Gigure, the price is too steep. There's not enough to trim on the Flyers roster to sign both, and I believe that Bouwmeester is the better prize.— pizano13
Why are we even considering this? I'd rather stay with Marty. Look, Biron would be a lot better if he had a solid defense in front of him, including a crease-clearing machine (a la Ed Van Imp), and one more veteran blueliner, like JB, to help bring along Parent and Alberts. One more requirement would be someone who can win face-offs. I wouldn't go wholesale with the team. It just needs a few tweaks to get it moving in the right direction.— DaveCicc
