Veteran Ray Emery edges rookie as Hawks backup goalie
Alexander Salak, Marcus Kruger and Brandon Pirri didn't get the news they wanted to hear from the Blackhawks on Monday.
All three rookies were sent to Rockford of the American Hockey League, as the Hawks decided on experience over youth in choosing veteran Ray Emery to be the backup goalie to Corey Crawford.
“We're in the fortunate position to have to make a difficult decision on two netminders that impressed throughout our entire training camp,” general manager Stan Bowman said. “Having both Ray Emery and Alexander Salak as a part of the Chicago Blackhawks organization makes us stronger in both the short term and long term.”
The Hawks signed Emery to a one-year contract worth $600,000. The 29-year-old veteran had been in training camp on a tryout basis.
Emery, who has 173 games of NHL experience, won the job despite a 4.54 goals-against average and .813 save percentage in three preseason appearances.
Salak in three appearance had a 1.94 goals-against average and .929 save percentage.
Both Emery and Salak have one-way contracts, meaning they will earn their NHL salaries even at Rockford. Salak's contract is worth more than Emery's at $612,000.
Salak, Kruger and Pirri were among the six players sent to Rockford, bringing the training camp roster to 26. It must be at 23 by Wednesday.
Also sent to the AHL were defenseman Dylan Olsen and forwards Jimmy Hayes and Peter LeBlanc.
What's likely to happen to get the roster to 23 is the Hawks will send injured forwards Jeremy Morin and Philippe Paradise to Rockford in the next day or two. They are also likely to put veteran left wing Viktor Stalberg on injured reserve with his knee injury.
The Hawks had high hopes for Kruger going into camp, but he failed to impress throughout camp and the exhibition games at both ends of the ice.
Pirri had a strong camp offensively, but he obviously hurt his chances because of the penalties he took and his defensive struggles.
Rookie Ben Smith will be on the opening-night roster, assuming he has recovered from the concussion he suffered last week. Coach Joel Quenneville expects Smith to return to practice Tuesday.
Apparently either Smith or Jamal Mayers will be the fourth line center.
Daniel Carcillo must sit out the first two games while serving a suspension he received in the playoffs, but he still counts against the 23-man roster.
So now it's on to the regular season Friday at Dallas with the Hawks needing to shore up a lot of things they didn't do well in a ragged preseason, particularly defensively.
The Patrick Kane experiment at center will continue into the opener, which could last five minutes into the first period or five months.
tsassone@dailyherald.com