Speculation: Why is Emelin still a free agent?

[Legionnaire11]

He's got to be asking too much because he's definitely an improvement on many third pairings in the league. Tex did a great job explaining Emelin in a couple of posts above.

And frankly if the Predators go into next season with a 5/6/7 of Irwin, Weber and Bitetto, it will be easily a worse bottom pair than with Emelin.

 

[McSuper]

Because most AHL teams are waiting before signing an older guy .They want to see what shake lose from their parent NHL clubs before signing a has been to a AHL or 2 way contract . He just isn't worth a NHL contract as a 7 D when NHL teams can use that spot to develop their young guy

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Because most AHL teams are waiting before signing an older guy .They want to see what shake lose from their parent NHL clubs before signing a has been to a AHL or 2 way contract . He just isn't worth a NHL contract as a 7 D when NHL teams can use that spot to develop their young guy

That's taking it a step too far, though. AHL and 2-way contracts are just not in the conversation here. He can make $1M+ playing in the KHL, and if his head is in the game he can be an adequate #5/6 d-man in the NHL for a team which lacks a physical element. So he's going to be weighing NHL offers vs. KHL offers, and he'll get $1M+ either way, so there's no point at which the AHL or 2-way contracts enter the conversation.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

One thing I would add is the fact that he hasn't already signed in the KHL must say that he at least has had a little bit of attention and a few inquiries from NHL teams. Because he'd already be gone if not.

 

[WJCJ]

He's better than a lot of guys on 3rd pairs and he can add some much needed toughness to teams lacking in that department. Still a lot of time left to sign that kind of guy.

He's not tough. He can be physical and dirty, it's not really the same thing.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

He's not tough. He can be physical and dirty, it's not really the same thing.

I remember hearing that he can't exactly be "tough" or ever answer the bell for any of his hits because of a metal plate in his face? Anyway, I think he seemed like a relatively "clean" kind of "dirty" for us... when he does hit, it's old school mean and players often get knocked down or hurt... but at the same time players these days aren't looking out for those hits as much, and they often turn their backs and face the boards or try to duck out of the way, and what is initially an attempt at a "clean"- but mean - hit can sometimes turn out different. He's not throwing elbows or sucker punches or spearing guys in the groin, though, not blatant "dirty" plays - more just attempts at clean heavy hits that go wrong... or go right but hurt somebody anyway. If anything, I just wished he'd have done more of that, not less. Once he shows that side of his game, it leaves you wanting more.

 

[Melkor]

I remember hearing that he can't exactly be "tough" or ever answer the bell for any of his hits because of a metal plate in his face? Anyway, I think he seemed like a relatively "clean" kind of "dirty" for us... when he does hit, it's old school mean and players often get knocked down or hurt... but at the same time players these days aren't looking out for those hits as much, and they often turn their backs and face the boards or try to duck out of the way, and what is initially an attempt at a "clean"- but mean - hit can sometimes turn out different. He's not throwing elbows or sucker punches or spearing guys in the groin, though, not blatant "dirty" plays - more just attempts at clean heavy hits that go wrong... or go right but hurt somebody anyway. If anything, I just wished he'd have done more of that, not less. Once he shows that side of his game, it leaves you wanting more.

Thats true. Alex Svitov destroyed his face in the KHL.

 

[T_Cage]

He's not that good anymore, but I'd take him as a 6/7. Physical, good veteran depth. If he'd sign for 700k he's a solid pickup

But then again he'd likely make double that back in the KHL

 

[Sheppy]

Probably because he's an absolute chicken shit.

 

[Cenzo_]

Lot's of salty Bruins and Leafs fan in here. Emelin is a decent 3rd pairing guy

 

[tony d]

Think he'll get a deal before training camp. He can be a serviceable 3rd pairing defenseman.

 

[cafelatte]

Simple answer is ... he's not that good. Mtl fans and media were all over MB for letting Emelin (and his big contract) go ... looks like 30 other GMs think the same.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Cuz he sucks ass

 

[Do Make Say Think]

He is mediocre on top of being a borderline player who cowers behind the fact he can't fight due to health reasons.

One less rat in the NHL (for now?)

 

[PKWeber]

One of the cleanest hitters to ever play the game, I would take him back on the Habs to help the tank and troll Bruins fans.

 

[Sheppy]

One of the cleanest hitters to ever play the game, I would take him back on the Habs to help the tank and troll Bruins fans.

I hope he goes back to Montreal. It would make the games a bit more interesting.

Basically he will take a run at someone, then turtle in classic Montreal fashion. The ratings.

 

[WJCJ]

One of the cleanest hitters to ever play the game, I would take him back on the Habs to help the tank and troll Bruins fans.

We'll be laughing too hard to be thinking about any trolling being done.

 

[PKWeber]

I hope he goes back to Montreal. It would make the games a bit more interesting.

Basically he will take a run at someone, then turtle in classic Montreal fashion. The ratings.

Loool he’s still in your head hahaha.

 

[PKWeber]

We'll be laughing too hard to be thinking about any trolling being done.

Nah you guys will cry like you usually do.

 

[WJCJ]

Nah you guys will cry like you usually do.

ok, whatever you say

 

[RogerRoger]

He's awful, so I expected Vancouver to sign him to a contract similar to Gudbranson.

 

[HappySabresFan]

Because a team hasn't signed him. It's pretty easy to figure out

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

If Lucic was still good he'd be worth signing, he could really get Looch off his game. Chara too sometimes.

Inb4 Bruins fans rant about the plates in his face

 

[member 262271]

Is he worse than Roman Polak? Haven't seen him play enough to be honest.

 

[Sheppy]

Loool he’s still in your head hahaha.

He was never in my head. I would typically just laugh at how he played the game of hockey, guy's a traffic cone like everyone else on Montreal.