HokkeyNutt

"Here Comes the Hawks, the Mighty Blackhawks!"

Lindenhurst, IL • United States • 46 Years Old • Male

Hawks Sign Ray Emery

Lets talk hockey! News broke yesterday that the Blackhawks had signed veteran netminder Ray Emery as a camp tryout. The move is obviously insurance against rookie Alexander Salak not being ready to be Corey Crawford's backup. The 28-year-old Emery played well for Anaheim last season after recovering from major hip surgery. He was 7-2-0 in 10 regular season games with a 2.28 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. Emery was 2-3 in the playoffs subbing for the injured Jonas Hiller. Salak, who starred in the Swedish Elite League last season, signed a two-year contract with the Hawks but can be sent to the minors without clearing waivers. It would appear that the backup job appears to be Salak's to lose, but at least now general manager Stan Bowman has a solid option should the rookie show in training camp that he needs more seasoning in Rockford.

Coming soon, my analysis of the Western Conference.