The Flyers went and made a “bold” move today, I mean I guess if you wanna call it that, and invited Ray Emery to practice with the team on a tryout basis. Now, knowing social media, some people took this news as a sign that the Flyers have 0 faith in their young goaltending prospect, Anthony Stolarz, and that Ray Emery will be suiting up for his first NHL game since departing the Flyers last season. I really really, like extremely doubt this. Stolarz was an AHL All Star this season and earned his call up when Michael Neuvirth suffered an injury that would sideline him. I still believe the Flyers have every intention of giving him his first NHL start sometime over the next couple weeks and that they believe he can keep them in playoff contention.
So Ryan, if that’s the case, why did the Flyers bring in Emery?
Honestly, I believe he’s here as a safety net. There’s no way Mason is starting in 6 games over the course of 9 days. That would be just, just awful. I would get tired just watching Mason get tired. So that means someone else is getting a start relatively soon, which I believe is going to be Stolarz. Emery would just be there as a veteran presence perhaps even giving Mason the night off and having Emery as a backup, or in a worst case scenario, starting one of the last few games in the set of back to backs if Stolarz gets lit up in his first outing.
And if it turns out I’m wrong and Emery does start in one of the upcoming games so be it, but I still would not take it as “Flyers organization loses faith in young rookie goaltender.” It would simply be a case of Stolarz not having enough experience to handle a larger responsibility.
Jason LaBarbera is out for the season per @billmeltzer. Also says Anthony Stolarz is staying put with #Flyers. #LVPhantoms
— Tony Androckitis (@TonyAndrock) March 29, 2016
This also may have something to do with the recent tryout contract. Emery did play in the AHL this year for Toronto and with the Phantoms out of a playoff spot they’re not in dire need of a top goalie. Should also be noted that it’s reported Stolarz is staying put with the Flyers.
But seriously, this is all just an opinion and I have absolutely zero inside knowledge. For all I know the Flyers are gonna start Emery against Washington, which would just be bloody awful(*note: I am not British). I’m just saying that it’s extremely unlikely the Flyers have “lost faith in Stolarz.”
You can follow Ryan at @flywalker1975 on Twitter.
