Flames Sign Cory Sarich

[bengino]

The Calgary Flames have waded into the free agent waters and signed defenceman Cory Sarich.

The eight-year NHL veteran is six-foot-three, wieghs 210 pounds and is a right-handed shot.

The 29-year-old Saskatoon native played last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team he played for in 2004 when they defeated the Flames in seven games in the Stanley Cup Final.

Sarich is looking forward to joining the Flames blueline.

"You look around and there is some great talent and great balance on the blueline. There's some offence with Dion Phaneuf and Adrian Aucoin and defence with myself and Rhett Warrener. Robyn Regehr is a guy who goes at both ends of the ice," said Sarich. "I'm very excited about it."

Sarich, who had 15 assists last season, makes his off-season home north of Calgary in Sylvan Lake.

"This has been my off-season home. Now it is going to be a more permanent home," said Sarich.
"My wife was thrilled when this came up. I have family in Saskatchewan and in British Columbia. That helped a lot in the decision."

"I think this is a club that is heading in the right direction. There is a good nucleus of guys. I had the chance to play against them a couple of years ago in the playoffs and I've watched what they have done the last couple of years. There is nowhere to go but up for this team," said Sarich.

The five-year contract was also enticing.

"It will take me into my early 30s so I am excited. I am a guys who likes to stay put. I was like that in Tampa," said Sarich. "Another big thing for me is becoming a team guy and becoming a core part of the process and that can happen here with five years."

Sarich said he has no problems with the Flames new head coach, Mike Keenan, noting he played for a taskmaster in Tampa Bay, John Tortorella.

"You only hear and read things. I haven't had any experience with Mike but I have dealt with a guy that can push you," said Sarich.

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by bengino

As per TSN

What the hell is with these defensemen salaries? He's a reliable blueliner, but more than 3.5 mill for the guy? Wow.

[Cat Smasher]

Originally Posted by Isles4life

What the hell is with these defensemen salaries? He's a reliable blueliner, but more than 3.5 mill for the guy? Wow.

Holly ****, payday for Sarich....wtf is up with these people, I REALLY wanna know wtf SOURAY is gonna get.

Cory Sarich for $3.6 mil a year? these GM's are ****ing themselves up the ass again...the whole lockout and union busting was for nothing lol

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by Cat Smasher

Holly ****, payday for Sarich....wtf is up with these people, I REALLY wanna know wtf SOURAY is gonna get.

Could be over 7...scary stuff.

[bengino]

Originally Posted by Cat Smasher

wtf is up with these people, I REALLY wanna know wtf SOURAY is gonna get.

As a Habs fans, i don't really want to know if they sign him to a big money contract

[blackngold]

wow, at this rate, even i could make the nhl as a defenseman and get a mil or 2

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by blackngold

wow, at this rate, even i could make the nhl as a defenseman and get a mil or 2

Now, now, let's not get carried away.

[bengino]

Originally Posted by Isles4life

What the hell is with these defensemen salaries? He's a reliable blueliner, but more than 3.5 mill for the guy? Wow.

after Timmonen got his contract, it set the bar much higher for the salaries... blame the Flyers brass for this.

[JKidd]

Wow... barely over $2 million for this guy is more like his actual worth...

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by bengino

after Timmonen got his contract, it set the bar much higher for the salaries... blame the Flyers brass for this.

Well Timonen was the clincher, but Markov's big deal before that sent us down this road. Dumbass GMs screwing themselves over.

[R.Middleton]

Originally Posted by blackngold

wow, at this rate, even i could make the nhl as a defenseman and get a mil or 2

Does that mean the tickets will rise even higher next year?

[HordiBrusk29]

I guess this means Sutter wasn't able to persuade Hannan to sign with the Flames. Either way this is definitely way too much for what Sarich can bring to the table.

[DaleHunter32]

I guess there is a need for road cone's in calgary. This guy isn't worth the paper he wipes his ass on. "stay at home defender" i guess you could describe him that way, but i've seen him get embaraced a lot in TB. He averages what 10 points a season, IMO the guy is a liability on the point, and takes some dumb penalties.

If Calgary is willing to stretch out a contract and salary like this for a player like this, what's it gonna take to re-sign a guy like phaneuf when his contract is up? Basically they paid almost $4M a year for a 3rd line (possible 2nd line d-man)

This signing almost eases the sting of the caps going out and over paying for Poti today

[HoliksGhost]

The NHL is in WAY over its head.

These salaries are a joke... the end is near.

Why don't we just re-shuffle the deck every year (oh wait we are doin that)... so much for tradition and rivalries.

Bettmen sucks.. the NHL is doomed.

I'm pissed.

[forsberg21]

Sarich is a solid rugged defenceman. but what the **** are the gm's smoking today? cause i want some.