Rumor: Etem set to make a shocking announcement?

Is this even legal by NHL rules?

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Rumor: Etem set to make a shocking announcement?
Keystone Press

Arizona Coyotes forward Emerson Etem was placed on unconditional waivers earlier today for the purposes of terminating his contract. It’s clear that things haven’t worked out for the 25-year-old power forward with his new organization and so both sides have decided to mutually terminate the players’ contract.


In just 16 games with the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, Etem has just four goals and five points. Etem managed just three NHL games a year prior with the Anaheim Ducks. The Coyotes are Etem’s fourth organization in the past three seasons and it appears as though his NHL playing days are over. But… could he be on Team USA’s Olympic roster. It’s unusual for a player to terminate his contract in the midst of the season, so unless Etem has plans to play in Europe or the KHL, don’t be surprised if he suits up for his home country at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. Any player under an NHL contract is negligible to compete in the upcoming games, and with Emerson’s contract set to be terminated, he’s a top candidate to wear the Stars and Stripes in South Korea this February.

What do you think? This version of Team USA could certainly use all the NHL experience it can get. And at just 25 years of age, Etem can still provide some speed and tenacity to the team’s lineup. Expect an announcement on the team’s final roster tomorrow during the intermission of the 2018 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.