The NHL free agent frenzy is only one day in, and already Cochrane has something to be happy about, as long as you’re a Flames fan.
On July 1, Cochrane product and former Toronto Maple Leaf forward Mason Raymond signed with the Calgary Flames and will be with the club for at least the next three years.
“I have nothing but good things to say about my time with the Leafs, they gave me the chance to excel and move me forward in my career,” said Raymond.
It’s been just over one year ago there were rumblings that Raymond might be interested in coming home to play for the Flames. But instead, it was a summer of contract talks with various teams and more creativity, trying to find a location to at least try out.
“It was a weird offseason last year, the phone wasn’t ringing and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t mentally draining,” said Raymond.
Raymond eventually landed a home with the Toronto Maple Leafs at a reduced salary of $1 million for one year and a chance to prove that even after some serious injuries with the Vancouver Canucks, the team that drafted him, he could still be a top line producer.
Coming off a season with 19 goals, 26 assists and 45 points in 82 games, Raymond has shown that he’s very capable of being a point-getter with a competitive, gritty edge and that’s something the Flames wanted.
With the exit of Mike Cammallari, players like Raymond will likely be heavily relied on to support the young cast of possible future stars like Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett.
“I think with Calgary, I’ll be taking on a bigger roll on the ice and with leadership as well. These are all challenges I look forward to and I can’t wait to start working towards next season,” said Raymond.
“I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason, that’s why I’m sitting here with a big smile on my face when I tell you that I’m proud to be back home as a Calgary Flame.”
