The Curious Case of Emerson Etem

Nov 5, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Emerson Etem (16) celebrates with the bench after scoring a goal against the New York Islanders during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret that the Anaheim Ducks have a tremendous pool of prospects. Several years of excellent drafting have allowed the Ducks to build a stable of young, exciting, and promising players. For the last few years, no player has been more hyped than Emerson Etem, a southern California native with tremendous potential.

However, this past Friday, the 22-year old forward was reassigned to AHL-Norfolk. This demotion is the second of the year for Etem. Many are rightfully disappointed, and wonder if the young forward will ever reach his full potential here in Anaheim.

Emerson Etem was drafted 29^th overall in the 2010 NHL entry draft, in which the Ducks also acquired Cam Fowler (12^th overall) and Devante Smith-Pelly (42^nd overall).

Etem is a smaller (6’0”, 194lbs) forward who uses his size and skill to his advantage. Though he is a more offensive minded forward, his speed and alert play makes him a natural fit for penalty killing as well.

Emerson’s former coach with the Medicine Hat Tigers (and current head coach of the Vancouver Canucks) Willie Desjardins said that,

"“Emerson is a great skater who opens up the ice real well. He is a professional already. Everyday he prepares like a pro. His biggest strength is he wants to improve as a player. When you tell him something he is prepared to do it.”"

In juniors, Etem showed his tremendous goal-scoring potential. In 202 games over three seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL), Etem scored 242 points (133 goals, 109 assists), including a 61 goal, 46 assists in his final season alone. In two seasons in the AHL with Norfolk, Etem has scored 70 points (37 goals, 33 assists) in 95 games.

In the NHL, we’ve seen flashes of Etem’s natural scoring touch. Etem made a big splash in the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, in which he scored three goals and two assists in seven games against the Detroit Red Wings.

However, consistency has been a struggle for Etem. In 94 NHL games, Etem has only scored 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists). Last season, Etem scored 11 points (7 goals, 4 assists), in 29 games.

This season, his production has dropped even further—scoring only 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists) in 27 appearances so far. He scored what appeared to be his third goal of the season against San Jose on New Year’s Eve, but the goal was disallowed on a marginal goaltender interference call against Devante Smith-Pelly.

Part of this can partially be explained due to luck. Etem has a shooting percentage of 3.8% so far this season—much lower than his NHL career average (8.3%) or his AHL career average (11.95%). Additionally, Etem has a PDO of only 96.3%. These numbers suggest that Etem may be the recipient of some bad luck so far this season.

Etem should be on his way to becoming an elite NHL scorer. It just may not happen as quickly as anyone would like to think

While he’s struggled to find the scoresheet at the NHL level, Etem’s underlying numbers suggest that he is doing all the little things well. Etem has a CF% of 52.8% (+2.1% rel), while taking offensive zone starts 56% of the time against only slightly sheltered competition.

One has to wonder however, if Etem has been utilized incorrectly by Coach Boudreau this season. Etem has been utilized almost exclusively on the fourth line alongside grinders Nate Thompson and Tim Jackman.

While Etem played this role well enough, it’s clear to anyone watching that he was not firmly in his comfort zone. Due to the defensive nature of the role, he shouldn’t be expected to be producing much either.

In mid-December, Etem was placed on the second line with Ryan Kesler and Matt Beleskey in place of the injured Kyle Palmieri. In just a handful of games, Etem garnered two assists, his first points in over a month.

Perhaps Etem is just the type of player who needs to occupy a top-six role in order to be fully effective. Certainly, he would be an interesting candidate to occupy the ever-changing top line LW spot next to Getzlaf and Perry. His speed would be a dangerous compliment to the slower, bigger bodied forwards, and his shoot-first mentality paired with Getzlaf’s playmaking abilities could be a match made in heaven.

However, we will have to wait to find out. The return of Kyle Palmieri and Corey Perry to the lineup, coupled with the Ducks’ insistence on continuing the Rene Bourque experiment in Anaheim has forced Emerson out of the NHL—for now.