[News] Cory Sarich looking to make a comeback

[jayswin]

Yeah, basically what you're looking at with Polak's idea is;

NHL roster:

Gio
Hamilton
Brodie
Wideman
Russel
Engelland
Smid (most likely)

That would be your top 7, and Sarich isn't knocking any of them out. Then even if Smid isn't good to go, then Wotherspoon would take over as number 6/7.

So then Sarich is looking at our over stuffed minor league defensive group, and even if he could perform better than anyone down there the Flames are saying no because you don't take development time away from prospects for a veteran that can't crack an NHL line-up.

The only minor league teams that sign over-age veterans is teams that simply don't have a good prospect pool and can't fill all their positions with legit prospects. There's almost always enough veteran leadership on farm teams, and it can usually come from guys who still somewhat have a shot at the NHL.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by dino7c

nice guy but not a chance, he was barely an NHL player anymore before the break

no pun intended

He was totally done on the 2012-13 Flames.

Then he came back and was able to play 17 minutes/game for 54 games on a very good (112 pts) Colorado team and was a +7. So in 2013-14 he was a NHL player..

His top ice time as a Flame was 18:50 in 07-08 and then 7:53 and 17:54. He never was a top-4 d-man in TOI.... (no PP time)

He always seemed to be playing with some sort of broken/cracked/fractured ankle. Maybe is has had time to heal.... but at 37 is he in Iginla shape?

28.5M in NHL earnings.... always overpaid as Flame. Feaster signed him for 2 years @ 2M and a couple of months later Hartley benched him. Hartley must have really not like him... The Flames were butter soft and everyone was running Kipper and Sarich was watching from the press box.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by polak

Sarich would have been an improvement over our bottom 2 d-men last year if he was back to form.

I'd give him a PTO.

Sarich isn't out performing Schlemko.

I'd rather give Schlemko a shot at being #7 than Sarich.

[Poe969]

Looking back, one of my favourite moments was Glencross' first game with the oilers when he had to fight Sarich. Sarich in his prime would still be able to play in today's NHL but I think he'll have more luck being a fitness coach or something like that, I hope he stays a part of the game somehow.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Sarich isn't out performing Schlemko.

I'd rather give Schlemko a shot at being #7 than Sarich.

While I don't believe that guy that kept insisting Schlemko is a $3x3 contract guy, I also don't think he's actually a PTO guy at this point. I think he probably actually has at least a couple decent offers out there (1yr, 1.1mil or 2yr, 800k type deals kicking around) and is just waiting it out and will sign a smallish contract before training camp.

I guess my only point is I don't think he's really available to give a shot to at this point, but he was on waivers last year, so I guess you never know. I think he showed himself to be an NHL level D-man that can play competently in the playoffs and his stock has probably risen since being waiver fodder.

I was actually all over bringing him back for $1 - $1.5mil before we acquired Hamilton. I thought he was great for what he was.

[jayswin]

Sorry, CroFlames, I kind of just went off your post there, reading it back I realize it has nothing to with what you were responding to.

Agreed, Sarich wasn't cracking our top 7 last year.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Sarich isn't out performing Schlemko.

I'd rather give Schlemko a shot at being #7 than Sarich.

Well he said he might be willing to take a 2-way deal. Not sure he'd see 31 games, but if there is some room in the AHL for him, he would be a good depth / leader type of guy for the farm.

[Hackey]

LOL ya me too.

[Gunkle]

He is one of my favorite players of all time....just loved his style.
A total throwback.

I am perhaps more worried about his chronic hip problems than the bike accident though....

[GoJetsGo]

Sarich was a soldier for us years back and seems like a great guy.

That said, it's astounding there are a select few here calling to bring him back. In no way is he an upgrade on our already crowded 6/7 spots.

Locks:

Gio / Brodie / Hamilton / Russel / Wideman

That leaves one spot for:

Engelland, Smid and Wortherspoon

with Morrison and Nakladal knocking on the door


Suggesting Sarich might make a run at it in peak shape is futile. He was in peak shape five years ago. Since then, he's clearly lost a step (when last playing) and has sustained horrific injuries since then.

Great to remember the good times, but no need to re-live them when we're on the verge of icing one of the best bluelines in the league.

Zero chance Sarich fits here. Can't believe it was even suggested.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Hopefully someone takes a chance on him. With expansion on the horizon, a one year deal could turn into 2 or 3.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Sarich and Gio were an awesome pairing which was better than the pairing getting more minutes when the Flames were poorly coached and missing the playoffs. 16 consecutive games as a pair not being a minus. Definitely not part of the country club mentality.

[calgarywinning]

I would just like to say that past play is no indicator of what can be. Given his tragedy and ability to overcome it, hopefully his mental form has changed and he is restored physically to contribute at the level that is his goal.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

He was totally done on the 2012-13 Flames.

Then he came back and was able to play 17 minutes/game for 54 games on a very good (112 pts) Colorado team and was a +7. So in 2013-14 he was a NHL player..

His top ice time as a Flame was 18:50 in 07-08 and then 7:53 and 17:54. He never was a top-4 d-man in TOI.... (no PP time)

He always seemed to be playing with some sort of broken/cracked/fractured ankle. Maybe is has had time to heal.... but at 37 is he in Iginla shape?

28.5M in NHL earnings.... always overpaid as Flame. Feaster signed him for 2 years @ 2M and a couple of months later Hartley benched him. Hartley must have really not like him... The Flames were butter soft and everyone was running Kipper and Sarich was watching from the press box.

so two years ago before a major accident he played half a season...really?

guy is DONE, its a young mans league as it is

[Flashpoint]

He'll go to Colorado with Glencross and the rest of the retired Flames. I hope they collectively get Roy fired.

Roy always seemed like a prick to me.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by calgarywinning

I would just like to say that past play is no indicator of what can be. Given his tragedy and ability to overcome it, hopefully his mental form has changed and he is restored physically to contribute at the level that is his goal.

No guarantee but Gary Roberts is at one end of the spectrum.

I wish the best for Sarich, he plays an honest quality game

[Enoch Root]

If he were willing to take a straight AHL, playing-coach type role, I think that might make sense.

Stockton has lots of bodies, but no experienced defensemen. IF he were willing to go down there to add stability and teach the kids the little things that make you a better pro and better defenseman, that would be a win for everybody.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

He'll go to Colorado with Glencross and the rest of the retired Flames. I hope they collectively get Roy fired.

Roy always seemed like a prick to me.

Roy can't hear you because his two Stanley Cup ring are plugging his ear.

[TorqueDog]

This happens a lot.

[Insert Ex-Flame here] - would they be a good fit?

At first blush, we romanticize what they player did for us when they were in their better days. The Marleau hit is unfailingly rolled out every time Sarich is mentioned, and it's not hard to see why -- what a game-changer. And you always want to give those old soldiers one last hurrah.

But you can't. Not where we're at. This will likely happen with Iggy too at some point (if my memory serves me correctly, it already has in a couple threads). We can't romanticize the past if we're looking to make waves now and in the future.

If you are a young team that has a need for a leader in the room, a guy like Sarich makes sense (dare I say the Oilers *shudder*). But the Flames are a young team and they have the leaders they need. It wouldn't be fair for a guy like Sarich to come back just to write reviews on the popcorn and hot dogs at the Saddledome in the press box. The guy is looking to play. I'd love to see him join the organization one day (much like what we wanted for McGrattan), but not as a roster player.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

This happens a lot.

[Insert Ex-Flame here] - would they be a good fit?

At first blush, we romanticize what they player did for us when they were in their better days. The Marleau hit is unfailingly rolled out every time Sarich is mentioned, and it's not hard to see why -- what a game-changer. And you always want to give those old soldiers one last hurrah.

But you can't. Not where we're at. This will likely happen with Iggy too at some point (if my memory serves me correctly, it already has in a couple threads). We can't romanticize the past if we're looking to make waves now and in the future.

If you are a young team that has a need for a leader in the room, a guy like Sarich makes sense (dare I say the Oilers *shudder*). But the Flames are a young team and they have the leaders they need. It wouldn't be fair for a guy like Sarich to come back just to write reviews on the popcorn and hot dogs at the Saddledome in the press box. The guy is looking to play. I'd love to see him join the organization one day (much like what we wanted for McGrattan), but not as a roster player.

The difference is Iggy scored 29 goals last year. He's still got it.

He's not 50 goal Iggy anymore, but like I said before if there is a fit, he should certainly be given a look by BT. A 1x1.5m for a 15 goal guy to play depth en route to a Cup would be OK by me.