Well, as they say, another one bites the dust from the NHL to KHL.
This time, a lesser known name.
According to multiple reports, Cory Emmerton has decided to sign with a KHL expansion team overseas, the Sochinskiye Leopardy. Say that five times fast.
Since being drafted 41st overall in 2006 by Detroit (Red Wings Website), he’s played in 139 NHL games, totaling only 21 NHL points. His only full season came in 2012-13, a shortened season of 48 games at that where he totaled eight points. This past season, Emmerton played most of his year in Grand Rapids, the AHL affiliate, with an excess of centers at the NHL level. He only put up two points in eighteen games with the Red Wings in 2013-14.
This is the second Red Wing to head to the KHL in as many years, as winger Jan Mursak did just that after winning the Calder Cup with Grand Rapids. Emmerton and him were teammates on that 2013 Calder Cup team.
A free agent to be this offseason, this was really the smartest decision for Emmerton to make. He virtually had no future in Detroit with the Ferraros, Sheahans, and even Glendenings of the system at the level of NHL ready or close to it. The 25-year old Canadian center didn’t really live up to Detroit’s ideal expectations when they signed him to a three-year deal back in 2011 given the point totals he put up and playing time he received.
With Luke Glendening signing a three-year deal of his own before the end of this past season, it indirectly signaled the end for Emmerton at the NHL level in Detroit. With the constant call ups and send downs he’s been through the past few seasons, I don’t blame Emmerton for going overseas. He’ll get a decent paycheck, lots of playing time with an expansion team, and a future playing hockey at the professional level with solid playing time.
I wish the best for Cory, and hope he gets a fresh start at the KHL level.
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Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @gSchroedes16. Griffin Schroeder also writes at thewingedwheel.wordpress.com. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
(Stats and bio courtesy of DetroitRedWings.com)
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