Blackhawks Ink Ray Emery for One Year; Assign Salak

**Thrillhouse** · #1 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 04:12 PM

The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with goaltender Ray Emery on a one-year contract and assigned goaltender Alexander Salak to the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs.

The Blackhawks’ training camp roster now stands at 26 active players, which includes 16 forwards, 8 defensemen, and two goaltenders.

“We’re in the fortunate position to have to make a difficult decision on two netminders that impressed throughout our entire training camp,” said Vice President/General Manager Stan Bowman. “Having both Ray Emery and Alexander Salak as a part of the Chicago Blackhawks organization makes us stronger in both the short-term and long-term.”

Emery, 29, is a veteran of 173 career regular-season games over parts of seven NHL seasons with the Ottawa Senators (2002-08), Philadelphia Flyers (2009-10) and Anaheim Ducks (2010-11). The Cayuga, Ontario, native has also posted 20 wins in 36 career appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which includes backstopping the Senators to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final. Originally selected by Ottawa in the fourth round (99th overall) of the 2001 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Emery compiled a 7-2-0 record, 2.28 GAA and .926 save percentage in 10 regular-season tilts with Anaheim last season and appeared in six postseason contests with the Ducks.

Salak, 24, helped lead Farjestad BK to the 2011 Swedish Elitserien championship, ranking second along league netminders with a 1.97 GAA and .926 save percentage in 33 regular-season contests. The goaltender was acquired by Chicago, along with forward Michael Frolik, in a trade with the Florida Panthers on February 9. The Strakonice, Czech Republic, native made his North American debut during the 2009-10 season, being honored as an American Hockey League All-Star in the midst of compiling a 29-14-0 record and a .910 save percentage over 50 games with the AHL’s Rochester Americans.

thruby · #2 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 04:14 PM

why?

Maggie3and Me · #3 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 04:21 PM

I sincerely hope that Crawford can do a Glenn Hall and play all 82 games.

**NJDevils17** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 04:32 PM

Who was the other goalie competing with Emery for the number 2 spot?

Hagstrom · #5 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 04:44 PM

Salak… unless you meant the question in some other way.

kam · #6 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 04:48 PM

I'd rather they resign Turco.

I_am_Belak_2 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 04:51 PM

Why the hate for Emery? Him along with Corey Perry pulled the Ducks into the playoffs last year. If Crawford goes down to injury or falters out of the gate, at least Emery is a reliable backup instead of a question mark like Salak. Plus Salak can get valuable playing time down in Rockford as their #1.

kam · #8 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_am_Belak_2

Why the hate for Emery? Him along with Corey Perry pulled the Ducks into the playoffs last year. If Crawford goes down to injury or falters out of the gate, at least Emery is a reliable backup instead of a question mark like Salak. Plus Salak can get valuable playing time down in Rockford as their #1.

Thats true, it's not like he is going to be the go to guy. He is a decent back up.

thruby · #9 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_am_Belak_2

Why the hate for Emery?

i thought he looked god awful in the preseason, frankly. hopefully he can fill some spots, but i don't want to have to rely on him in any big capacity.

DUSTER76 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 05:03 PM

Would like the old Emery to show up, temper and all..

Active Stick · #11 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 08:25 PM

Emery got outplayed by Salak in the preseason, but I can see why the Hawks would still want a veteran backup. Our goalie depth kind of sucks so if Crawford went down they'd be screwed in net. At least now there are two guys capable of filling in as needed in case that happens.

youthattack · #12 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 08:36 PM

I have always been a huge Emery fan. Wish things would have worked out with him in Philly, but hope he does well in Chicago.

Maggie3and Me · #13 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 08:56 PM

Chicago Sun Times
October 3, 2011

"According to the numbers, Salak outperformed Emery this preseason, recording a 1.94 goals against average compared to Emery's 4.54. But it was always thought that the Hawks preferred to have an experienced goalie behind Crawford, who is entering his first full year as a starter".

I agree a return to the old Emory would be a welcome addition. However, that is not the one we say in pre-season. I to hope he can turn it around.

Mr. Pink · #14 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 09:20 PM

Emery was so bad in preseason

Killah_punk · #15 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 10:26 PM

Can you imagine Emery and Carcillo out on the town together.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

The Following User Says Thank You to thruby For This Useful Post:
OriginalSix (10-04-2011)

The Following User Says Thank You to Maggie3and Me For This Useful Post:
OriginalSix (10-04-2011)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Hagstrom For This Useful Post:
NJDevils17 (10-03-2011), thruby (10-03-2011)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to I_am_Belak_2 For This Useful Post:
DARCY T (10-03-2011), havoc00 (10-05-2011)

The Following User Says Thank You to DUSTER76 For This Useful Post:
Hagstrom (10-03-2011)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Active Stick For This Useful Post:
CubsJunkie (10-04-2011), thruby (10-03-2011)

The Following User Says Thank You to youthattack For This Useful Post:
havoc00 (10-05-2011)

The Following User Says Thank You to Maggie3and Me For This Useful Post:
thruby (10-04-2011)

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Mr. Pink For This Useful Post:
chilly666 (10-04-2011), Maggie3and Me (10-03-2011), thruby (10-04-2011)

More Community