Just days after learning backup goalie Andrei Vasilevsky would be out 2-3 months following a blood clot removal, Tampa Bay invited veteran netminder Ray Emery to its training camp on a professional tryout.
Emery, 32, spent last season in Philly and wasn’t great, going 10-11-7 with a .894 save percentage and 3.06 GAA. He was unable to secure a contract throughout the summer, a position a number of veteran netminders found themselves in; Jonas Gustavsson had to accept a PTO to Bruins camp, while Peter Budaj took one from the Kings.
It’ll be interesting to see what the Bolts do with Emery.
Vasilevskiy could be out ‘til December, meaning there’s a pretty decent opportunity at hand for Emery -- or another goalie -- to take the reins as Ben Bishop’s backup. Speaking of other goalies in the mix, Tampa Bay does have a good prospect in Lativan Olympic hero Kristers Gudlevskis, though it’s likely the club wants him playing big minutes in the AHL, rather than sitting on the bench in the NHL.