It’s hard to know what to make of Emerson Etem, who the Canucks acquired last season in a trade with the New York Rangers. The 24-year-old has never quite lived up to his billing as a first-round pick, he still has enough speed and physicality to provide some utility as a third-line forward.
But then he goes on a tear at the end of the season, scoring 4-goals and adding an assist on a 5-game scoring streak. Sure, it was in the seasonal equivalent of garbage time, but it still makes you wonder if there’s something more there, some as-yet-untapped reservoir of skill that the Canucks might be able to harness to produce a legitimate top-six forward.
If you look at those goals, as we’re about to, some of that optimism might disappear. They’re mostly rebound and deflections around the net that require some luck. On the other hand, there’s something to be said for having a guy that goes hard to the net and can create the types of situations that lead to lucky bounces.
And consider this: he’s only making $775,000 next season on a one-year deal. That’s a steal of a deal for a third-line forward, but it also lets you know that Etem is banking on himself to have a big year. His qualifying offer would have been for $892,500, so he accepted a pay cut on a one-year contract.
I, for one, am excited to see what Etem can do next season. But first, let’s look at what he did last season. Here are the seven goals Etem scored for the Canucks in 2015-16.
1 | February 6 vs Calgary Flames
I love how Etem is desperately trying not to beaver-tail, not wanting to draw too much attention from the Flames. Just before he gets the pass from Linden Vey, he frantically waves his stick, but just keeps himself from slapping it on the ice. When the pass comes, Etem fires immediately, putting it just inside the far post. Most of his goals will be scored from much close to the net than this.
2 | February 25 vs Ottawa Senators
Etem seems to do well when he keeps things simple in the offensive zone: pass the puck off, go to the net. Here he drops the puck for Linden Vey after gaining the zone, then heads straight to the net to pick up a bad rebound off Craig Anderson and lifts it over the sprawling goaltender.
3 | February 25 vs Ottawa Senators
Etem’s second goal in this game was an empty netter in the final minute, as he directed in a pass from Linden Vey. Even his empty netters are scored from on top of the crease.
4 | April 1 vs Anaheim Ducks
Etem makes this play happen with a great forecheck, checking Cam Fowler off the bouncing puck, then settling it and finding Bo Horvat along the boards. Horvat sets up Alex Biega for the shot from the point, which deflects off Josh Manson’s skate as he tangles with Brendan Gaunce in front. Etem pounces on the loose puck and tucks it past John Gibson.
5 | April 4 vs Los Angeles Kings
As soon as Etem is done covering for Matt Bartkowski at the point, he makes a beeline for the net and parks himself on the top of the crease. Meanwhile, Horvat sets up Derek Dorsett for a one-timer from the faceoff circle, which deflects off Etem’s leg and in. Great work from Horvat along the boards on this goal.
6 | April 7 vs Calgary Flames
Once again, Etem goes to the net and good things happen. Horvat’s pass to Etem gets deflected, but Ben Hutton takes advantage of the situation by stepping into a slap shot. It doesn’t make it to the net, but bounces into the crease, where Etem is able to poke it in.
7 | April 9 vs Edmonton Oilers
Etem starts this play from behind his own net, passing it off to Derek Dorsett before picking up speed through the neutral zone. The Oilers completely lose track of their assignments on this rush as Horvat cuts across the ice, leaving Etem with far too much space as Dorsett passes it back to him. From there, it’s just a lovely shot, as Etem places it just over Cam Talbot’s left pad.
BONUS | April 9 vs Edmonton Oilers
This lovely shootout winner from the Canucks win over the Oilers in the final game of the season deserves some love. It's the only shootout attempt of his career, but with an attempt like this, you have to think he'll get some more opportunities next season.
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