Buffalo Sabres Acquire Depth Forward from New York Rangers

New York Rangers Trade Sam Carrick to the Buffalo Sabres

Carrick has played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, and the Rangers across his 10-year NHL career. The Markham, Ontario has four goals and six assists for 10 points in 60 games so far this season. He has averaged an ice time of 10 minutes and 25 seconds in the 2025-26 campaign. Carrick has a Corsi for of 43.1 and a relative Corsi of -7.0.

The 34-year-old has 38 goals and 45 assists for 83 points in 380 career games. Toronto originally drafted Carrick in the fifth round, 144th overall of the 2010 NHL Draft. His best goal-scoring season was in 2021-22 with Anaheim when he scored 11 goals and got eight assists for 19 points.

However, his best offensive season was last year with the Blueshirts. Carrick managed six goals and 14 assists for 20 points in 80 games in the 2024-25 season.

What It Means

The veteran forward may not light up the scoresheet. However, he does so many things on the defensive end. Carrick is a great bottom-six option for any team, and he became a fan favourite for the Rangers.

Buffalo is trying to end its 14-year Stanley Cup Playoff drought and veterans like Carrick will be valuable if the team reaches the postseason. He’s proven himself on multiple teams.

The Rangers continue their teardown and get a couple of draft picks in the process. New York will have plenty of cap space to use this coming offseason.