Why gamble on Ray Emery is a safe one for Anaheim Ducks

Signing goalie Ray Emery to a one-year, two-way contract (per TSN) is a shrewd gamble for the Anaheim Ducks.

He'll make $500,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level, with the plan to start him down in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch should he clear waivers in the next 24 hours. Neither of the goaltenders at that level have NHL experience; so if Jonas Hiller or Curtis McElhinney go down and Emery has worked his way back, all of a sudden you have an NHL veteran that faced the Ducks in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals at your service.

Hiller is aces as a starter, but his battle with fatigue may have been a wakeup call that the Ducks need better depth between the pipes. If Emery shines in the AHL, is he an insurance policy or does he supplant Curtis McElhinney as the backup? Said his agent JP Barry to Ducks Blog last week:

"I think the opportunity is what's more important," Barry said. "At this stage of the year, the contract isn't about money. It's about getting him back playing and getting him positioned with the right team that will allow him to play games."

Emery, you'll recall, is attempting a comeback from avascular necrosis, a hip condition that derailed Bo Jackson's career. He hasn't played in the NHL since last Feb. 1 with the Philadelphia Flyers.

According to Bob McKenzie, Emery goes through waivers to be demoted to the AHL, in order to have a prolonged conditioning stint. If a team claims him, they'd have to keep him in the NHL.

Read some more on Emery and the Ducks from Quackalackin'.

Emery has his detractors, for sure, but if nothing else you have to respect the drive to get back into the game. This isn't rehabbing a wonky groin: This is a life-altering ailment that he's attempting to overcome in order to continue his career in professional hockey.

As far as the reputation, Jeff Carter of the Flyers, who was a junior and NHL teammate of Emery's, said to Flyers Files when the Flyers were in the hunt for him last week:

"Razor was awesome for us. His reputation may not be the best, but I played with him in juniors and I know what kind of guy he is. He's a stand-up guy who would be welcomed on this team."

Said Carter: "There's no risk in giving him a shot." The Ducks obviously agree.

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