Hockey World Blog

All Things Hockey

Posts Tagged Ray Emery

Fantasy Friday

Dec 30

Posted by Chris in Fantasy | 1 Comment

The Hot List:

Evander Kane (forward): Kane has had a huge week with three goals, one assist and 11 shots on goal. Kane appears to have found his groove and is poised to easily surpass his career point totals and could top out at the 60-point mark. Take a second look at the Winnipeg forward if you need extra scoring help.

Jason Arnott (forward): Two goals and two assists over the past seven days with points in seven of his last 10 games. He now has 20 points in 34 games and will easily surpass his points total from last season. The Blues are trending upward and so is Arnott.

Tyler Kennedy (forward): Kennedy seems to be on a hot streak in the second half of December with seven points in his last five games. He scored a career-high 45 points last season and will likely settle around the 50-point mark long term this year.

Mikko Koivu (forward): Although sidelined for a few games in mid-December, Koivu has 19 points in his last 15 games played – including a streak of points in nine straight contests. He’s owned in 76 percent of Yahoo fantasy hockey leagues. If he’s available in yours, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be on your roster.

The Cold List:

Sergei Gonchar (defenseman): Gonchar has cooled off considerably with only three points in the last 30 days, and none on the power play.

Vinny Prospal (forward): Only one point in his last five games. However, Prospal has 13 shots on goal during that same span, so it’s not for lack of effort.

Between the Pipes:

The Chicago Blackhawks are set on riding the hot hand this season, and the current flavor of the week is Corey Crawford. Winner of two-of-his-past-three, Crawford has allows just four goals on 97 shots in those three games. However, backup netminder Ray Emery had been the winner of five straight before suffering a 3-2 loss against Pittsburgh last week that relinquished his starting duties. Eventually the Blackhawks will need to choose a starter to prepare for a long playoff run. Until then, expect the back and forth to continue.

Crosby Update:

The Penguins finally released an update concerning superstar center Sidney Crosby – and the outlook isn’t good. After exploding for 12 points in eight games after initially returning from a concussion, the team confirmed that Crosby is again sidelined indefinitely with concussion-like symptoms. However, high ranking Penguins officials have privately stated that they do not believe his symptoms are as bad this time around and are confident that he will play again this season. Until then, toss Crosby on the IR and wait patiently for his return.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Fantasy Friday

Dec 16

Posted by Chris in Fantasy | No Comments

The Hotlist:

Wayne Simmonds (forward): Three goals and one assist over the last seven days. With injuries to Claude Giroux and Brayden Schenn, Simmonds will see more ice time and be counted on for increased production. Owned in a meager 17 percent of Yahoo fantasy leagues.

Bryan Little (forward): Three goals over the last seven days on 12 shots on goal. Little has 20 points in 31 games for the Jets, including four goals in his past five games.

Todd Bertuzzi (forward): Bertuzzi has one goal and three assists in the past seven days. More importantly, he plays on the top line with the red-hot Pavel Datsyuk. He has been a consistent 40-point scorer with Detroit, but he may pay short-term dividends if you grab him while he’s hot.

Matt Carle (defense): One goal, five assists and a plus-four over the last seven days. It was just announced that Chris Pronger will be out for the season thanks to concussion symptoms. Expect Carle to help fill the void on the blue line.

Michael Del Zotto (defense): Owned in only 40 percent of Yahoo fantasy leagues, Del Zotto posted four points over the past seven days and was plus-five while rifling off 11 shots and blocking 10. Del Zotto has nine points total over the last 10 games.

Between the Pipes:

It appears as if Luongo has reclaimed the number one spot in Vancouver, but Cory Schneider remains a viable threat for wins, goals against and save percentage when he plays. The Canucks are winners of seven of their last 10 games.

However, another goalie controversy appears to be brewing in Chicago. Ray Emery is winner of three straight games and will get his fourth consecutive start against the Ducks tonight. Remember, this guy backstopped Ottawa to the Stanley Cup Finals several years ago and won seven games in 10 starts for Anaheim last season. Keep an eye on this developing situation.

Tags: , , , , ,

2011-12 NHL Season Preview: Chicago Blackhawks

Sep 26

Posted by Matt in Season Previews | 1 Comment

Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews

Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will lead the offensive attack for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011-12

Key Offseason Additions: Steve Montador, Dan Carcillo, Andrew Brunette, Jamal Mayers, Ray Emery

Key Offseason Losses: Brian Campbell, Troy Brouwer, Chris Campoli, Tomas Kopecky,

Last Season Ranking: 8th in the West

Offense: The Chicago Blackhawks offense hopes to build on a productive season in 2010-11 and return this year with a bit more pop. Blackhawks captain, Jonathan Toews, along with winger Patrick Kane, both look to increase their output this season. Kane, specifically, has been saying this off-season he wants to take his game to another level. After a 15 point drop in production last season, you have to assume that Kane is looking to break the 90 point mark and help lead his team back to the playoffs.

Another huge bonus to the squad will be a healthy Marian Hossa. He posted 57 points in a mere 65 games last season, and if healthy, can contribute roughly a point per game to the Blackhawks potent offense. A full season by Hossa could also mean the difference between barely making the playoffs and perhaps winning the division.

Additionally, Patrick Sharp will continue to be a goal scoring threat for the Blackhawks. Sharp lead the squad in goals last season with 34, and will look to improve on his point totals after a career-high 71 points last season.

New to the offense are Andrew Brunette, Dan Carcillo, and Jamal Mayers. While Brunette will be expected to contribute heavily, look for Carcillo and Mayers to provide a physical presence above anything else.

The Blackhawks have a few young guys rounding out the offense. Be sure to keep an eye on Michael Frolik and Viktor Stalberg this season, as both have a tremendous upside. Bryan Bickell and Dave Bolland will be counted on to provide additional depth scoring as well.

Defense: The departure of Brian Campbell places even more importance on Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, who will lead the Blackhawks defense this season. Both defenseman were huge on the power-play last season, and will continue to hold the blue line on the PP again in 2011-12.

The addition of Steve Montador on the blue line will add some veteran depth for the Blackhawks. He’ll be a great compliment to some of the young defenseman on the squad, such as Niklas Hjalmarsson, Nick Leddy, and Sami Lepisto. Hjalmarsson should see upwards of 20 minutes per game this season, being used in more and more situations as he continues to gain experience.

Goaltending: After the Marty Turco experiment failed last season, the Blackhawks went with rookie Corey Crawford in goal. He played well enough to earn the starting job, and helped Chicago nearly come back from an 0-3 start against Vancouver in last season’s playoffs. Crawford returns this season with the number one spot from the beginning.

In an interesting scenario, however, the Blackhawks chose to sign Ray Emery in the off-season. He’s currently competing with Alexander Salak for the backup job, but you have to imagine he has his eyes on the starting role as well. Last season, after returning to game action with the Anaheim Ducks, Emery won his first six starts, before finishing the season 7-2 with a .926 save percentage and 2.28 goals against average. Emery is looking to prove everyone wrong and earn a starting spot in the NHL again, and Chicago could be the place if Corey Crawford begins to stumble during his sophomore campaign.

HWB Playoff Prediction: Playoff bound. The Blackhawks have what it takes to make it into the playoffs, and could earn another division championship if key players, such as Marian Hossa, stay healthy. Having their best players on the ice for 82 games will be the difference between a potential division win and barely sneaking into the playoffs.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ray Emery to Detroit?

Feb 2

Posted by EB in News, Rumors | 3 Comments

As weird as it may sound, Ray Emery to Detroit, it is a possibility for the returning goaltender.

The netminder Ray Emery is trying for a comeback after being diagnosed with avascular necrosis. The disease causes bone tissue to die, and in Emery’s case, his right hip had deteriorated. Emery has since undergone an operation to replace the ball of his hip and now is making for a comeback.

Ray Emery is hoping he does not have to pack his bags on the NHL as he is trying for a comeback.

The Red Wings are currently short a back-up goaltender as Chris Osgood is on the IR from sports hernia surgery. Detroit General Manager Ken Holland looked elsewhere, across the pond, in signing Evgeni Nabokov to a one year deal. However, the deal between Nabokov and the Detroit Red Wings fell short due to league rules disallowing oversees players from entering into the league after December first without going through re-entry waivers. Nabokov was claimed by the New york Islanders while the Wings are still left to look for another goalie or wait it out.

Chris Osgood is expected back mid to late February, a not so distant future. Osgood has been struggling this year, with 10 games started, he has only been able to muster up a 5-3-2 record. Digging a little deeper, Osgood has a .903 save percentage and a rather high 2.77 goals against average. Factor in that Osgood is in his last year of his contract with the Red Wings and at the not-so-young age of 37, the question of if he is not finished now, can you really sign him to another deal?

Ray Emery on the other hand has been a trouble maker in all the teams he has played for. A feisty fighting goalie, that sometimes loses sight of the real goal, meshing with his teammates and winning as a team. But at 27 years old, trying to make a comeback, it seems likely that Emery’s unruly ways are behind him if he wishes to make it back to the NHL.

The Wing’s are currently in second place within the Western Conference, an almost guaranteed playoff spot and a definite Stanley Cup Contender. If the choice was yours, do you want Osgood backing up netminder Jimmy Howard, or Ray Emery, a player fighting for another chance?

Tags: , , ,

Evgeni Nabokov to Philly?

Jun 28

Posted by EB in News | 1 Comment

Goaltender Evgeni Nabokov of the San Jose Sharks may be switching conferences to play for the Eastern conference Champions Philadelphia Flyers. That is of course if he doesn’t jump the pond to go play for the Russian KHL league.

The Flyers, who struggled last year in net due to injuries and poor play, look to add a solid number one goalie. Nabokov at the older age of 34 brings concerns to some fans, however with a 2.39 goals against average and a .912 save percentage over his 10 year career should bring calm to the doubters.

As of right now the possibility is still a rumor. Yet like many rumors, there usually is some truth to the talk. The Flyers could definitely use a goalie who they could rely upon, but you still need to question why not go with goaltenders Brian Boucher or Michael Leighton who carried the team to the Stanley Cup Finals?

It will be interesting to see what all pans out, especially with Nabokov having an option to play in Russia. Throw in that the Flyers have to decide what to do with their current 3 goalies who are unrestricted free agents (Caron Sebastian, Ray Emery & Michael Leighton), the decision will become even more difficult.

If Nabokov is signed by the Flyers, expect either a trade involving Boucher to back up for the Sharks and the Flyers potentially signing a younger of the two Leighton, or Nabokov and Boucher splitting time (more common now in the new NHL) and a bidding war for Leighton who I believe to be coming into his prime.

The next question though is who will the Sharks goalie of tomorrow or goalie of this year be? Could there be a Calder trophy nominee Jimmy Howard waiting in the shadows? (I still think Howard should have won over Tyler Myers)

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Philadelphia’s Unclear Future

Dec 8

Posted by EB in Fantasy, News, Soap Box | 3 Comments

Life is tough when you are losing, or is it? Mike Richards enjoying the company of a porn star.

Life is tough when you are losing, or is it? Mike Richards enjoying the company of a porn star.

What seemed to be the year for the Philadelphia Flyers quickly turned into a year that might just make Flyer’s fans sick.

Off season acquisition of Chris Pronger, pickup of goalie Ray Emery who has everything to prove, and the winning bid for the outdoor game on New Year’s day started the season on quite a high. The team won their first 3 games and ended up 6-4-1 in the first month. Adjusting to their new lines, shaking the rust off, the Flyers had a good start to the hockey season. November looked brighter, as the Flyers came out winning their first 4 games. Yet the team still ended up slightly over .500 for the month with a 7-6-0 record, totaling 13-10-1 for the season. Jump forward to today, the team is 13-13-1, 5th in the Atlantic Division, and even worse, third to last for 13th position in the Eastern Conference.

So what is the problem? Was it the coaches fault? John Stevens has been fired and replaced by Peter Laviolette. Is it the leadership on the ice? Mike Richards has vocalized his position of captaincy after the firing of Coach Stevens. Or could it be the goaltending as Don Cherry has indicated? Ray Emery is near the bottom of goalie stats, but he does post a .900 save percentage and currently has  a winning record.

So what is the problem? I’m not sure, but when a coach is fired, a Captain in question, and you have Ray Emery in the locker room, all on a losing season, something internal is happening that we do not know about. The team is young and the Flyer’s season is teetering right now. On one side you have a change in the system that positively affects the team to start winning again with hopes it is not too late for a playoff spot. On the other end, the team self destructs and late night partying from young players is more frequent, the golf bags come out early this year, and next year a makeover of the entire team.

Time will tell. For me, I hope they turn it around. For now though, if you lack faith in a turnaround, dump your Flyers while you still are able to.  If you wait to long, you will be stuck shopping players at a reduced price.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Hello Again

Nov 12

Posted by EB in News | 1 Comment

Brian McGrattan and Ray Emery fight during an Ottawa Senator's practice in 2008.

Brian McGrattan and Ray Emery fight during an Ottawa Senator's practice in 2008.

It seemed just yesterday the Ottawa Senators were in the tabloids for pesky players adding more drama than a paternity test on Maury. Well it was not to long ago that Dany Heatley was in the news, but before Heatley, goaltender Ray Emery was the center of attention.

Emery played with the Senators for 5 seasons, starting in the ’02-’03 season. Emery was later let go after the ’07-’08 season. In a nutshell, he was let go for being a cancer to team morale. No other team took the risk on the young goaltender in the ’08-’09 season, forcing him to play oversees in the KHL if he still wished to play at a competitive level.

This year Emery is back, and looking better than ever with the Philadelphia Flyers. Posting a 9-3-0 record with 2.27 goals against average and a .922 save percentage, makes you wonder, “Could there have been something in the water over in Russia?”.

Tonight the Flyers host the Senators for the first time, allowing Emery to take the spotlight and try to shut down his old team. Although a year has passed, I’m pretty certain the wound is still fresh.

The Flyers are currently on a 4 game winning streak, taking them to 9-4-1 overall for 4th place in the Atlantic Division. The Senators on the other hand are up and down with winning and losing, yet 2nd overall in the Northeast Division with a 8-5-2 record. The two teams are only one position apart within the Eastern Conference, so look for a hard hitting fast paced game.

Words of wisdom to those on the Flyer’s bench. If the Senators chase Emery from the net, do not assist with putting on his hat.

Tags: , ,

Philadelphia Flyers

Sep 4

Posted by EB in Season Previews | No Comments

The Philadelphia Flyers have made numerous off season acquisitions that brings one word to mind: “tough”.

Ray Emery joins the Broad Street Bullies this upcoming season.

Ray Emery joins the Broad Street Bullies this upcoming season.

Baby blue eyed goaltender Martin Biron will be replaced by bad boy Ray Emery. Emery played last season in the KHL posting 22 wins in 36 games with a 92.6 save percentage and a 2.12 goals against average. The numbers show immense improvement from playing with the Ottawa Senators in the ’07-’08 season, however the quality of play overseas is questionable in comparison to the NHL. A question that will be answered in time is whether or not his act as cleaned up? This though of course may or may not be wanted by the rough Philly fans.

The blue line has gained size and grit as Chris Pronger and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen will be donning the orange and black this season. Pronger, a seasoned veteran and a Stanley Cup winner, may be the most significant off season acquisition for the Flyers run for the cup. Pronger currently ranks 4th in playoff experience among NHL defenseman with 143 games played.

Offensively the Flyers have lost right wing Mike Knuble to Washington, however have replaced him with Ian Laperriere from the Colorado Avalanche. Tit for tat Knuble puts more points on the board, however when it comes to enforcing, Laperriere takes the cake. Pair him up with last season’s pickup Daniel Carcillo, it will be interesting to see what team dares to take any liberties with goal scorers Danny Briere, Simon Gagne and captain Mike Richards.

This year the Flyers have a very competitive team, a well balance of grit and finesse that will be a force to be reckoned with. Look for them to be competing fiercely for first place within the Atlantic divison as well as the Eastern Conference. The last question to be asked is how soon before the Broad Street Bullies trademark is restored to this season’s roster.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,