With over a decade playing at the highest level, two appearances in the Stanley Cup final, a 27 goal year on the 05-06 Edmonton Oilers, injuries, suspensions – Raffi Torres has had an eventful career, but it’s one that he knows that may be coming to an end soon.
This past week the 34 year old free agent winger took part in Biosteel’s annual pro hockey camp in Toronto, which includes close to 20 NHLers from all across the league as well as CHL and AHL players.
Torres hasn’t played in an NHL game, regular season or exhibition since the 2015-16 preseason with San Jose after a hit on Anaheim’s Jakob Silfverberg saw him suspended for 41 games (after previously in his career being suspended for 25 and 30 games for dangerous hits). He wouldn’t return to the big club as after his suspension he played six games with the Sharks AHL club, the San Jose Barracuda, before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Before he could suit up for the Leafs, Torres had an operation to remove the ACL from his right knee.
I had the chance to chat with Torres at the camp and he praised the Biosteel team for being able to help put him in a position to get back into game shape.
“Without Matt Nichol and the whole group at Biosteel I wouldn’t be here, these guy are the best in the business. Matty is not only our strength trainer he’s also our dietitian, he’s our therapist he’s everything. He goes out of his way all summer long, and it’s not just dealing with me, I’m a handful and there’s other guys he’s gotta deal with. They definitely go out of their way and without these guys I’m not here right now having this conversation, I’m at a point where I feel pretty good and we’ll see what happens”.
As a born and raised Edmontonian, I also had to ask him about the ’06 Cup run with the Oilers as his 27 goals in 2005-06 along with 11 playoff points and aggressive play in that postseason turned him into one of the cult heroes in the city during that incredible summer. To say that he enjoyed his time in Edmonton and that run would be a tremendous understatement
“That was the time of my life, I never had a better experience playing in some big hockey games at that time. Just the way that the whole city was and the way the team came together at the right time, it’s an experience that I still remember to this day. Everybody always asks me what was my best year in the league and it was ’06”.
Getting back into the NHL is going to be an uphill battle; he hasn’t played in more than 30 games in a season since 2011-12. His suspension history will keep some teams away but Torres has stated before that he wants to show that he has changed and can contribute on a roster.
I know when I asked on Twitter if there would be interest in bringing him back to Edmonton but the majority of those who decided to answer the question felt that he’s no longer needed in the Oilers lineup but the league as a whole. Even with this, with his dedication to getting back into playing shape and a desire to show teams that his play has changed, why not offer him a PTO to see if he truly has changed?
Judging by watching this past week, and I know it’s only a summer camp, he didn’t look out of place skating with younger players and wants to show that he’s not done just yet.
When healthy and when he stays away from the dangerous plays he has the ability to be a 12-15 goal guy and would bring a veteran presence to the club.
I’m in the minority in this but I’d be intrigued to see what Raffi could do this fall. If not in Edmonton, maybe another organization in need of a depth winger will take chance on him with one final contract.
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