Flames Sign Cory Sarich to Two-Year Deal

[Thrillhouse]

Calgary, AB – The Calgary Flames announced today that they have signed defenseman Cory Sarich to a two-year deal worth $2,000,000 per year.

“When we set about the process of improving our blue line we identified the need for a puck-mover who could play the point on the power play and help us offensively, and we also wanted a time-space eliminator who hits and competes and brings a sandpaper element to his game,” said Flames General Manager Jay Feaster. “We took care of the first need yesterday by acquiring and signing Dennis Wideman, and we checked the box on the second need today by re-upping Cory Sarich. Cory is a true competitor who plays the game the right way, with fire and grit. He is capable of delivering the big hit and as such keeps opposing players honest, he eliminates time and space down low, he moves the puck well with a good first pass, he is one of the leaders in our room, and he is a well-liked and well-respected teammate. We are thrilled to have Cory back in the fold on a contract that fits within our plan and enables us to continue to improve our hockey team.”

Sarich, a native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, has played 887 career games with 20 goals, 126 assists for 146 points over the course of 13 NHL seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning and Calgary Flames. Sarich has spent the last five seasons manning the Flames blue line and has played in 351 games for Calgary since signing with the Flames in July of 2007.

[mikebflorida]

Wow, Cory is still playing hockey? Seems like decades ago that he played for the Lightning.

Good for him.

[chilly666]

We are thrilled to have Cory back in the fold on a contract that fits within our plan and enables us to continue to improve our hockey team.”

hey feaster...acquiring and signing dennis wideman is not an improvement to your hockey team. just an fyi

[Loosey]

Sarich has been historically my favorite flame and someone who really leaves it all out on the ice every game, but I feel like I'm living some bizarre nightmare whenever I read Feaster talk about his plans or who they are going after and why.

[straka91]

Originally Posted by Loosey

Sarich has been historically my favorite flame and someone who really leaves it all out on the ice every game, but I feel like I'm living some bizarre nightmare whenever I read Feaster talk about his plans or who they are going after and why.

I think ownership has him in a bind, he cant go full rebuild mode yet the owners want a rebuild on the fly. That never works out.

[blades29]

Ive always liked Sarich. Good hitter, sheds the mitts once in a while.

Good solid signing.

[Loosey]

Originally Posted by straka91

I think ownership has him in a bind, he cant go full rebuild mode yet the owners want a rebuild on the fly. That never works out.

I think that is is a combination of this and Feaster being too nice and a bad negotiator.

[V12_Bi-Turbo]

Great to see old warrior still in the business. Saskatoon boy started to toss em in the show 13 years ago

[Loosey]

I think he could be a captain somewhere else, and sometimes still takes games completely over with his hits and intensity.

[fcm]

What's really good with that is the fact that we are keeping a tough, rugged, old-school defenseman instead of playing offensive Euro*******.