Free Agency 2017: Coyotes Add Depth with Emerson Etem

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.

Etem, who was picked 29^th 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.