Rangers’ Sam Carrick Generating Interest

Ahead of tonight’s game against Toronto, Mollie Walker, beat writer for the team, reported that the New York Rangers were not playing Sam Carrick for roster management reasons. The 34-year-old would not be alone, as Vincent Trocheck received the same designation. It appears that after 140 games as a Blueshirt, Carrick will be moving on to his fifth organization.

A veteran who is clearly not in New York’s plans for the future, Carrick holds a $1MM cap hit which runs through next season. It may be a slightly more ideal scenario if he was instead a rental, but there’s been enough demand for bottom six centers that GM Chris Drury should be able to recoup some value for Carrick.

The Ontario native was a late bloomer, emerging as a full time NHLer at age 29 with the Anaheim Ducks. After a short stop in Edmonton, he caught on with the Rangers, inking his contract as a free agent. Carrick has just 10 playoff games of experience, coming as an Oiler in 2023-24, but he brings the two-way attributes and toughness that any contender would value.

Carrick has 380 games under his belt, with 10 points in 60 contests this season as a Ranger. He’s been trusted under head coach Mike Sullivan, having yet to miss a game for any reason, only now sitting with a trade in mind. Carrick has 53 penalty minutes, capable of dropping the mitts, and has a strong 53.9% face-off win rate.

The Vegas Golden Knights gave up a 2029 second rounder, along with other assets, for Nic Dowd, a center one year older than Carrick at 3x the contract, with same term. The Minnesota Wild forked over a 2028 second rounder for Michael McCarron. Both middlemen have more perceived value than Carrick, but it seems possible Drury could fetch as much as a third-round pick for his offering.

Especially with Vegas and Minnesota out of the mix, most buyers have 4C taken care of. On paper, Colorado or Tampa Bay could benefit from an addition, or Anaheim could seek a reunion with the veteran, their fourth line thin and not overly experienced.

Whatever the case, Carrick’s name will be one to watch as the Rangers move ahead in their new direction.