Flames look to trade Cory Sarich, Anton Babchuk


Calgary Flames GM Jay Feaster sent an e-mail to the NHL’s other 29 general managers that fringe defensemen Cory Sarich and Anton Babchuk are available, according to Sportsnet’s John Shannon.

Considering the fact that most trade rumors have been driven by bigger names like Brenden Morrow, Dan Boyle and Jarome Iginla lately, that little bit provided some comic relief on Sunday.

The most amazing part, for some, was that Shannon reminded the hockey world that both Sarich and Babchuk have no-trade clauses.

Babchuk, 28, has appeared in two regular season games in 2013, collecting an assist. If you want to make an argument for his value, he was known for having a thunderous slap shot.

Sarich, 34, managed to get in 11 contests, but his -7 rating and average of about 13 minutes per game won’t blow people away. He does have a surprising amount of experience (898 regular season games played) and a Stanley Cup on his resume, however.

Still, for most, it was a report that was good for laughs. We’ll see if the marginal blueliners get packaged in a deal of some kind (with Iginla, perhaps?) or moved on their own or stay put.