Ray Emery to ANA?

Bob McKenzie along with other media types “in-the-know” are suggesting that Anaheim will be the landing spot for Ray Emery. Seems to make sense, all things considered. Anaheim could definitely use an experienced backup.

I almost feel a little bad for Emery given his injury troubles. If the guy had a little better work ethic, he could’ve been great (still might be, who knows). If he couldn’t show up to practice on time in Ottawa, what’re the odds he fairs better in a city like Anaheim? Maybe he’ll realize this is his last shot. Even a guy like Emery has got to understand that partying is not worth passing up millions of dollars in potential career earnings.

From everything I've read, including comments from his trainer who is very well respected, it appears as though Emery "gets it". Whether or not he figured it out in time or his body is capable of performing at the NHL level remains to be seen.

Last I heard Emery was simply looking for a landing spot in the AHL to get some game action in and work on his come back to the NHL. Anaheim sounds like a great place for him to get an opportunity almost right away to get back at least as a back up goalie. I'm willing to give the guy a break and forgive and forget. I hope he takes this opportunity and makes something out of it even it's just a few years more of playing time at the NHL level I'm sure he'll be happy with that.

tim1_2 wrote:Bob McKenzie along with other media types “in-the-know” are suggesting that Anaheim will be the landing spot for Ray Emery. Seems to make sense, all things considered. Anaheim could definitely use an experienced backup.

I almost feel a little bad for Emery given his injury troubles. If the guy had a little better work ethic, he could’ve been great (still might be, who knows). If he couldn’t show up to practice on time in Ottawa, what’re the odds he fairs better in a city like Anaheim? Maybe he’ll realize this is his last shot. Even a guy like Emery has got to understand that partying is not worth passing up millions of dollars in potential career earnings.

I think you need to give the guy some credit as far as work ethic is concerned. The guy fought his way back from Russia and then fought back from what most thought was a career ending disability, the fact his name is even coming up in reference to an NHL job is a small miracle. I'm not an Emery backer at all, but the guy seems to have grown up since the buyout.

Also, gotta feel for a guy like McElhinney. He finally looks to have made the big time and he's likely going to go back to toiling in the minors. This guy just isn't as talented as a handful of other guys out there and was going to be pushed out sooner or later.

Yeah, I don’t think you want to roll into the Western Conference playoffs with McElhinney as your backup. A guy like Emery (assuming he can play) would be preferable, and I imagine he’ll sign a Nabokov-type deal. And no, Emery will not have to pass through waivers (thank god, that Nabokov drama is absurd).

Why didn't ANA bite on Smith then?

Seems Emery is itching to get back real soon...

Dreger: "Agent, JP Barry on Ray Emery's return to NHL. "Ray feels great and wants to be playing next week."

shabbs wrote:Why didn't ANA bite on Smith then?

Because of the money and they know he sucks?

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

shabbs wrote:Why didn't ANA bite on Smith then?

Because of the money and they know he sucks?

He's got a $2.2M cap hit... it would be pro-rated to less than half that... and this is his last year on the contract.

tim1_2 wrote:Yeah, I don’t think you want to roll into the Western Conference playoffs with McElhinney as your backup. A guy like Emery (assuming he can play) would be preferable, and I imagine he’ll sign a Nabokov-type deal. And no, Emery will not have to pass through waivers (thank god, that Nabokov drama is absurd).

Speaking of which, anyone seen the new Down Goes Brown/Bloge Salming video here? Pure gold!

shabbs wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

shabbs wrote:Why didn't ANA bite on Smith then?

Because of the money and they know he sucks?

He's got a $2.2M cap hit... it would be pro-rated to less than half that... and this is his last year on the contract.

Interesting but it still doesn't address the known suckdom issue.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

shabbs wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

shabbs wrote:Why didn't ANA bite on Smith then?

Because of the money and they know he sucks?

He's got a $2.2M cap hit... it would be pro-rated to less than half that... and this is his last year on the contract.

Interesting but it still doesn't address the known suckdom issue.

True... but if they're just looking for a backup...

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

shabbs wrote:Why didn't ANA bite on Smith then?

Because of the money and they know he sucks?

Exactly. In this case it's better to go with the evil you don't know (Emery) than the evil you do know (Smith).

Dreger: "Emery signs 2-way contract with Anaheim. Will be on waivers at noon. $500,000 (NHL). $105,000 (AhL)."

Waivers eh? Heh heh... here we go...

Update: Waivers are needed to play in the AHL, not the NHL.

shabbs wrote:Dreger: "Emery signs 2-way contract with Anaheim. Will be on waivers at noon. $500,000 (NHL). $105,000 (AhL)."

Waivers eh? Heh heh... here we go...

Update: Waivers are needed to play in the AHL, not the NHL.

Watch the Isles put in a claim. LOL

I will poop myself if the Islanders do that again. Of course, I wouldn't put it past Garth Snow. Emery would likely report anyways, he just wants to get his NHL career back on track.