Ray Emery May or May Not Be a Fit for Chicago Blackhawks, but He's Worth a Look

The Chicago Blackhawks are rolling the dice on one of the few free agent goaltenders remaining with solid NHL experience by signing the well-traveled Ray Emery to a tryout contract.

Emery could be a great story as a guy who has overcome a career-threatening hip condition.  He could be a stubborn veteran who isn't willing to fill the role the Blackhawks are willing to offer. It all depends on how he looks if and when he reports to camp Sept. 17th.

Why if?  Because the situation between Emery and the 'Hawks is rife with possibilities.

First of all, Emery is still free to sign a contract with another NHL team in the six weeks before training camp gets underway.  Emery and his agent may find an organization that can guarantee a one-way contract without earning a spot in the preseason as he will have to do in Chicago.

I'm sure that a healthy, motivated Emery can be a more that capable backup to Corey Crawford. Healthy and motivated, he provides an option that may be more of a known commodity than Alexander Salak, who the 'Hawks have penciled into that role.

Crawford's backup will likely appear in 15 to 20 games, provided he avoids any long-term injuries.  Emery showed that he is capable of filling in for an extended period of time and has playoff experience. 

It's looking as if Emery is as healthy as he has been in recent seasons. A successful stint with Anaheim suggests that he is serious about re-establishing himself in the NHL

The Emery we saw down the stretch with the Ducks and in 29 games with Philadelphia the previous season would be a solid backup.

Two issues come to mind with Emery, however.  His health and his head.

Emery seems to have recovered from the avascular necrosis that many thought would signal the end of his career. On the other hand, he has had other maladies that kept him off the ice the last two seasons.

His problems in Ottawa notwithstanding, Emery seemed to get along well with management in Anaheim. The Ducks seemed to sense that Emery is looking for a starting gig and chose not to re-sign him this summer.

I find it had to believe that another NHL team hasn't shown interest in Emery as a backup.  It lends credence to the notion that Emery was looking to resume his career as someone's primary goalie. Is he going to be happy playing behind Crawford?

If he comes to camp willing to pay the role of backup, wins the confidence of Joel Quenneville and clearly outperforms Salak, Chicago would do well to sign him to a cheap one-year deal. 

If Salak remains the backup, the 'Hawks may still be in the market for a goalie in their organization.

It's apparent that Emery is looking for a one-way contract. The 'Hawks are more in the market for a goalie on a two-way deal that can play 30 to 40 games in Rockford if he doesn't beat out Salak.

If Salak remains the backup, both the 'Hawks and Emery have decisions to make.

Emery would have to be willing to spend at least part of a season in the AHL, which doesn't appear to be the case right now. If there are no suitors when camp winds down, he may accept a two-way contract. 

He may also elect to remain a free agent and hope a spot opens up somewhere else.

If Quenneville and GM Stan Bowman are confident in Salak, they hold the cards in terms of signing Emery. They can walk away and sign an AHL journeyman to play alongside Alec Richards in Rockford or get Emery's name on a two-way deal if they believe he's willing to toil there.

There are no guarantees in Ray Emery for the Blackhawks.  However, with no risk in the tryout contract, that's not really a problem for the organization.

Emery is a veteran with peaks and valleys in his career. He's definitely worth a kick of the tires.