Roster review: #8 Cody McCormick

[dudacek]

The ongoing roster review returns with a look at a veteran who seems to have been forgotten in the shuffle.

 

 

#8 Cody McCormick F (two years left at $1.5 million per, age 32)

Buffalo 33/1/3/4/-9/40

 

Most Sabre fans developed a soft spot for Cody during his first appearance, watching him battle like a warrior during a first-round playoff loss to the Bruins. He cemented that spot with 20 points and 142 PIMs the following year.

 

It’s unclear whether Buffalo hearts have grown fonder, but according to the cliché, they should have because McCormick has been frequently absent following that breakout year, totaling just three goals and 120 games in a Sabres uniform in the four seasons since. Tim Murray clearly likes him, re-signing him to a three-year deal last summer, after his brief trade-deadline side trip to Minnesota.

 

His most significant absence happened this year when he was hospitalized for a mysterious blood clot in his leg — a similar ailment to the one that ended the career of Thomas Vokoun and threatened the life of Pascal Dupuis. At last report, McCormick remained on blood thinners, recuperating with the intent of returning to the ice, but his NHL future is an open question.

 

 

Links to the rest of the series:

Anders Lindback: http://forums.sabres...nders-lindback/

Pat Kaleta: http://forums.sabres...patrick-kaleta/

Johan Larsson: http://forums.sabres...-johan-larsson/

Matt Hackett: http://forums.sabres...1-matt-hackett/

Andrej Meszaros: http://forums.sabres...ndrej-meszaros/

Phil Varone, Zac Dalpe, Jerry D'Amigo: http://forums.sabres...e-dalpe-damigo/

Mikhail Grigorenko: http://forums.sabres...ail-grigorenko/

Tyson Strachan, Andre Benoit: http://forums.sabres...han-and-benoit/

Mark Pysyk: http://forums.sabres...w-3-mark-pysyk/

Tim Schaller: http://forums.sabres...9-tim-schaller/

Matt Ellis: http://forums.sabres...-37-matt-ellis/

Cody Hodgson: http://forums.sabres...9-cody-hodgson/

Tyler Ennis: http://forums.sabres...63-tyler-ennis/

Chad Johnson: http://forums.sabres...3-chad-johnson/

Nick Deslauriers: http://forums.sabrespace.com/topic/23446-roster-review-44-nick-deslauriers/

Edited July 10, 2015 by dudacek

[Drunkard]

If McCormick is able to play I'd much rather see him on the 4th line than Legwand. Deslauriers McCormick Kaleta makes a great 4th line in my book. I'd like to see them roll with it if possible.

[dudacek]

I'm wondering how much the way we value Cody comes from the fact that he has been one of the few guys that has played with pride during the recent dark era.

 

My vision of him is what you see above: standing toe-to-toe with Lucic. 

But is that reality, or is it just a fond memory?

He's 32, hasn't been a regular contributor in three years and is recovering from a serious injury.

 

I love the guy, love him more than Kaleta, but I wonder if he's basically at the same point in his career.

I'm pulling for him and I hope he has a role, but I think it might be wishful thinking.

[Doohicksie]

Like Kaleta, I don't have a problem with using him as a 2-way player and encourage him to be a player-coach in Rochester when down there, and an experienced call-up when needed. I like to think the organization wouldn't cut loose the players who played with the most pride during the dark days. If not a player, I hope they can find some kind of role in the organization.

[Weave]

Im more concerned about his concussion history than his blood clot.

 

Love the guy. But i want him to call it quits before his head gets bad.

[Huckleberry]

Im more concerned about his concussion history than his blood clot.

 

Love the guy. But i want him to call it quits before his head gets bad.

 

Same, also only see room on him as a 13th forward/rochester guy.

[deluca67]

If Cody McCormick is on the opening night roster than this team has depth issues. He's a decent player to have when the roster was getting torn down. No need for that level of player during the building process. 

[woods-racer]

If Cody McCormick is on the opening night roster than this team has depth issues. He's a decent player to have when the roster was getting torn down. No need for that level of player during the building process. 

 

It may not be the McCormick of today, but the McCormick that GMTM thought he had and signed to a three year contract  is needed. The Sabres on whole are much tougher than the Darcy team no doubt, but if the Lucic-Miller episode 2 happens and your relying on the team toughness of a group of guys with the average age of 19.5 plus Deleauris to battle with men, it won't be pretty.

 

Those kids have to have the chip on their shoulder knowing that any cheap shot by another team and my big brother is going to kick your azz mentality.

 

I think in the scrimmage we see that there may be another home grown McCormick type blossoming, which one and who is any ones guess. GMTM is not stockpiling agitators, but intimidators that score. McCormick's contract will end with the arrival of his AHL replacements.

[dudacek]

If Des or Foligno go down — and with Foligno it seems likely — I'm not sure who is there to answer the bell.

With Kane, we've finally added some toughness to our top-six, but Eichel and Reinhart are going to get targeted.

[TrueBlueGED]

I'm wondering how much the way we value Cody comes from the fact that he has been one of the few guys that has played with pride during the recent dark era.

 

 

 

I think the general love for McCormick comes from him being good at all facets of his role. He could play a real NHL shift, chip in some offense, and wouldn't hesitate to protect teammates; if he were only the last of those things, he wouldn't be nearly as popular.

 

If Des or Foligno go down — and with Foligno it seems likely — I'm not sure who is there to answer the bell.

With Kane, we've finally added some toughness to our top-six, but Eichel and Reinhart are going to get targeted.

 

Are they, or is this just the kind of thing we're used to saying so we assume it's true? I certainly don't remember MacKinnon being targeted by a bunch of cheap shots because Colorado lacked toughness. Same goes for Taylor Hall and a bunch of others. And let's face it: as much as we may love McCormick, he's not scaring anyone.

 

I just think McCormick's body is shot. The guy can't stay healthy. Great guy to have in Rochester for a stretch but relying on him at the NHL level is just asking too much at this point.

[dudacek]

When the Bruins trade a third for Zack Rinaldo and are likely to be worse than us, I'm gonna worry about cheap shots.

I don't believe in the need to have a deterrent. i just want a handful of guys who will answer the bell.

[TrueBlueGED]

When the Bruins trade a third for Zack Rinaldo and are likely to be worse than us, I'm gonna worry about cheap shots.

I don't believe in the need to have a deterrent. i just want a handful of guys who will answer the bell.

 

I'm not sure they'll be worse than us, and c'mon man...Rinaldo isn't nearly smart enough to single anyone out for a cheap shot, it's how he hits everybody :p

[bob_sauve28]

I'd be surprised if he was back on the team. Good player but injuries and the numbers just don't look good at all for him 

[woods-racer]

I think the general love for McCormick comes from him being good at all facets of his role. He could play a real NHL shift, chip in some offense, and wouldn't hesitate to protect teammates; if he were only the last of those things, he wouldn't be nearly as popular.

 

 

Are they, or is this just the kind of thing we're used to saying so we assume it's true? I certainly don't remember MacKinnon being targeted by a bunch of cheap shots because Colorado lacked toughness. Same goes for Taylor Hall and a bunch of others. And let's face it: as much as we may love McCormick, he's not scaring anyone.

 

I just think McCormick's body is shot. The guy can't stay healthy. Great guy to have in Rochester for a stretch but relying on him at the NHL level is just asking too much at this point.

 

I see the Sabres as being like the Penguins if a McCormick like player with Foligno and Nick Deslauriers are not on the roster. Crosby and Malkin where beetch slapped by the Capitals every game last year and because their team toughness was heavy reliant on skill players with some grit. Blysma of all people knows this won't get you far in the playoffs, if you even make it.

 

I don't see his body being worn out, I see an unfortunate illness, that if he can recover from he will be able to play his roll on a team to perfection. He no longer will need to be the pillar of toughness on a Darcy tough team. He and Weber are role players that have been asked way to much of for 3-4 years, they will be very serviceable if allowed to be themselves.