Emery Signs in Anaheim

It appears that Ray Emery will get another shot at the NHL after signing a deal with the Anaheim Ducks on Monday morning. The 1-year (pro-rated), two-way deal is reportedly worth $500,000 when he is up with the big club and will also carry an AHL salary of something considerably less.

Emery has been dealing with hip problems since his return to the NHL, to which he had surgery to repair the problem in the off-season and now feels that he can proceed at the professional level, getting his career back on track.

The Ducks will send him down to the minors to finally get up to game shape, which currently has no time frame or expectation, so he can take his time.  Unfortunately for the Ducks, before he reaches the minors, he will have to go through the waiver wire, as he is a veteran player.  Assuming he clears waivers, he will have plenty of time to work his way into shape.

In terms of the salary cap, since we only have one-third of the season remaining to worry about, a league minimum salary will not be a huge issue, especially when it doesn't count in the minors. The Ducks have been dealing with all kinds of injuries, including a long-term injury to Ryan Getzlaf, so there should be plenty of space, if and when Emery is ready to go.

As for the pools, since we've already passed through the second (and final) waiver draft, the draft will not play host to Emery at all this year, nor will the selection sheet, which doesn't add players at any time during the season. Now, if Emery can get his play to an acceptable level before the end of March and circumstances fall his way, there is an exceptionally long chance that he could find his way onto the playoff pool sheet.

Now, any talk of the playoff pool is kind of foolish, especially with Jonas Hiller playing the way he has been.  The biggest concern in Anaheim is Hiller's health at the moment, which has been on shaky ground over the past few days.  Hiller has been suffering from fatigue and light-headedness, which somewhat lends itself to concussion-like symptoms, but this is just me speculating a little bit.  The signing of Emery does come at a very convenient time for the Ducks and Hiller and I would wonder if there won't be a rush to get Emery into proper game shape to help carry the load.