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The Arizona Coyotes added to their already deep group of left-handed forwards on Wednesday, signing former first-round pick Emerson Etem to a one-year, two-way deal.
OFFICIAL: #Coyotes Sign Etem to One-Year, Two-Way Contract https://t.co/v5aeIWnZvg
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) July 5, 2017
Etem, who was picked 29th overall in the 2010 draft by Anaheim, comes to Arizona after playing just 3 games with the Ducks last season due to a December knee injury.
While he is a left handed shot, Etem has traditionally played as a right winger and will fight for a bottom six roster spot at a position the Coyotes lack depth.
On the ice, Etem is a decent skater who was touted as having a lightning-quick shot when he entered the league. However, the speed of his release hasn’t helped him become a consistent scorer in the NHL, as he has just 22 goals in 173 games.
Etem has carved out a niche as a respectable two-way player during his journeyman career. Despite playing as a fourth liner for most of his time in the NHL, Etem has an acceptable -7 plus/minus and has proven to be a dependable penalty killer.
While signing Etem is nothing more than another pebble in the pond of free agency, John Chayka could do worse than acquiring a bottom six guy with over 150 career games who is both defensively responsible and has potential to score a handful of goals.
This summer was the first time Etem hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent.