Lightning makes offer to Ouellet, loses Sarich

The Lightning has made an offer to free agent forward Michel Ouellet, his agent said Sunday, the first day unrestricteds can be signed . Paul Corbeil said Tampa Bay is one of "seven to 10'' teams who have shown interest in the former Penguins right wing.

Defenseman Cory Sarich, whom the Lightning expected to lose, signed a five-year, $18-million deal with the Flames.

As for the Lightning's hoped-for addition, "We are talking to other teams right now but we are sure the Lightning is a good team for Michel,'' Corbeil said, adding he planned on speaking the Lightning GM Jay feaster again today and was not sure when his client would decide with whom to sign.

Ouellet, 25, had 19  goals (11 on the power play) and 47 points last season for the Penguins and made $500,000. He was not given a qualifying offer by Pittsburgh because it was worried about what Ouellet might have won in arbitration. Ouellet has, according to the word out of Pittsburgh, all the attributes coveted by the Lightning: he is a hard worker, willing to play a two-way game, good in front of the net and good in the locker room.   

"We'll see what happens,'' Corbeil said, "but Tampa could be a good place for him.''

Comments

[Sara R.]

I agree with Joe. I absolutely hate to see Cory go. He's my favorite player and in my opinion was a core memeber of the team. I never once saw him shirk on the ice. I can't say that I was surprised. The Flames made him a huge deal and since the Bolts didn't seem interested Cory did what he had to do for his career. I wish him nothing but the best of luck, but it's going to be awfully hard for me to see him play now. I just wish it hadn't been the Flames.

[Joe]

Cory Sarich is a guy I shall remember and always admire. He showed class here in Tampa and, often, received criticism he did not deserve. Cory is an old-school hockey player who never took a night off and always played with his body and his heart. Don't think that Sutter, Calgary's GM, ever lost sight of the role played by this blueliner in the Bolts' 2004's Stanley Cup victory. Sarich will fit in with that Flames gang of tough-minded, hard-hitting, lunchpail guys. And, happily, he will become very wealthy.

[WineGuy]

Sorry to see Cory go. He's a class act. At 3.6M per year, all the best, he hit it big for a defensive style defenseman who scores little.

[F.T.B.S.]

I saw the Rimouski connection too. Don't know if they have ever played together before, or how it went.
I'm having patience and not reaching for a celebratory brewski just yet.

Ouellet can blossom into a big timer here, as we all anticipate Brad returning to form. (80-90 points)
If Richie can dish 50-60 assists, and this guy can bury half of them, then we're on our way, in the right direction.
What self respecting forward wouldn't relish the chance to go up tempo with #19? Oops! No names from the current roster.....

How is this guy on face-offs? This is a minor area of needed improvement. Thanks a lot for not developing into the face-off animal, Ryan Craig. It could've been worth a few hundred grand more to you at the re-signing table.

If Ouellet flops and Mr. $7.8M stagnates again, who's head rolls first?

Go Bolts!

[Tim A]

Congrats to Cory Sarich. He will be missed and he was a good player with alot of energy. I would say to Calgary, that they should also sign Nolan Pratt because he and Sarich share the same brain. The Lightning need to move forward now and sign a more mobile, better passing defenseman but if the Lightning don't make any decent offers to these guys they aren't going to sign. The signs of putting too much money into so few players might be showing now. I hope this isn't the case. There will always be the players left over that don't get signed for one reason or another...might this be what we will see this year?

[SarasotaBill]

Damian.....you sneaky devil. As I was typing my comment about Ouellet, you added the Sarich note!! LOL

I thought you might have been a little light when you mentioned he might draw as much as 2.5 mil. I thought closer to 3 mil. Now I see 3.6 for 5 years?

Sign that deal Cory, and smile. WOW!!

[SarasotaBill]

Interesting. Not quite the "bona fide" top 6 guy JF talked about signing but nevertheless, a quality player.

He's got the skills, (still developing) seems as though he's got the right attitude, and.......most importantly, the price is right. Well.....I guess the price is right if he signs here.

The kid played in Rimouski in the Quebec Major Junior League. We have a couple of other guys who played there also and they seemed to work out pretty good.

Let's see what happens!!