Sources: Flyers likely to sign Emery

The Flyers won't confirm it, but league sources said today that former Ottawa goalie Ray Emery is coming to Philadelphia and most likely will sign a contract as soon as the free-agent period opens on July 1.

According to one source, the Flyers have done extensive "due diligence," and have determined that Emery, who had a reputation as a troubled and troublesome player with the Senators, is not a risk and is the goalie the Flyers want. The Senators bought out the final year of Emery's contract after the 2008 season.

Talks with current starter Marty Biron continue, but it is believed he is asking for too much money and a long-term deal that the Flyers are not willing to extend to him.

Contacted today, general manager Paul Holmgren declined to comment on the talks.

"We are having internal discussions on a lot of things," Holmgren said. "Ray Emery is one of them. I'm not going to comment on our internal discussions."

Emery is an unrestricted free agent and is not able to sign a contract until the free-agency period opens. While the negotiations are not complete, it is expected to happen, the sources said.

Emery, 26, led the Senators to the Stanley Cup finals in 2007. He spent 5 years in Ottawa and developed a reputation as a problem in and out of the locker room.

He was drafted by Ottawa 99th overall in 2001. Last season he played for Atlant Moscow in Russia in the Kontinental Hockey League.

If Emery is signed it will be because a deal could not be made with Biron. The door will be open for Emery to take the starting job in camp this fall.

Antero Niittymaki is also unrestricted free agent and also part of the ongoing discussions the Flyers are having as they prepare for the upcoming NHL entry draft. *