McCormick appeared in just 33 games for the Sabres last year after a blood clot was found in his leg. He scored four points and accrued 40 penalty minutes before his season was cut short. A mainstay on Buffalo's bottom-six forward ranks, McCormick provides a lot of flexibility for the Sabres as a center and right winger who can also kill penalties. Offensively, he doesn't have much to offer, but that will never be his role. The 32-year-old will be providing some grit and sandpaper for the Sabres while also protecting some of the team’s younger players.
McCormick returns to Buffalo after a brief stay in Minnesota, and he will return to his role as an agitating checker on the fourth line. The 31-year-old doesn’t contribute much offensively with just 22 goals in 399 career NHL games, but sets an example by playing a relentless, physical style. He will play a defensive role for the Sabres, most likely on the fourth line as a center or winger.
McCormick was sent down to Rochester after just eight games last season, and went on to post 11 points in 25 AHL games. His role is that of fourth-line energy player who is willing to drop the gloves, but his role became somewhat obsolete with the addition of Steve Ott and the continued presence of Patrick Kaleta. Given his one-way contract, there is still an opportunity for McCormick to start the season with the big club, but his fantasy value is restricted to PIMs, of which he had 42 for Rochester last season.
McCormick has carved out a role for himself as a grinder and willing combatant, but experienced concussion issues last season, limiting him to four points in 50 games with 56 penalty minutes. All indications are that he's healthy heading into training camp, but this has to be of concern for a player who needs to drop the gloves occasionally to keep his job. With Steve Ott now in the lineup, as well as Patrick Kaleta, there are only so many PIMs to go around, so it's unlikely that McCormick will be a factor in most fantasy leagues this season.
McCormick is an ideal fourth line forward who will benefit from Buffalo's decision to not bring back Adam Mair. He enjoyed the best offensive season of his professional career, earning 29 points (17 G, 12 A) for Portland while also providing a physical presence. McCormick signed a one-year, one-way deal with the Sabres in July, and will slide right into Mair's role on the big club, only with more offense.
McCormick saw his most consistent playing time in the NHL last year with Colorado, but it could be in jeopardy with a move to Buffalo. He is one of several physical forwards vying for a spot on the roster and will most likely take a role as a depth player, spending most of his time down with AHL Portland.
A strapping, physical utility forward, McCormick is a fringe player on the Avs' roster. Not a skill player, he's usually on the ice when the team needs an enforcer's presence out there. He will be on the team, but will not suit up for every game. He has no fantasy value.
McCormick is a lunch-pail kind of player who earns what ever playing time he gets by hard work. There's not a lot of upside in his offensive game, but is a good fourth-liner. McCormick was reassigned to Lake Erie of the American Hockey League in Oct. 2007.
McCormick is probably a fourth-line winger. He scored four goals and tallied four assists in 45 games with the Avalanche last season. Don't expect big things from him in 2006-07.
Cody is 22 now and it's time for him to step up. Even if he does and makes the team, he'll be a fourth-liner.
