Sam Carrick ‘built some good chemistry’ in solid 1st season with Rangers

Recently extended New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury received fair criticism throughout the season regarding his offseason moves and in-season trades. But signing Sam Carrick last summer certainly was one move that panned out during this miserable season on Broadway.

The numbers don’t jump off the page for Carrick, though the 33-year-old center did have NHL career-highs in assists (14) and points (20) this season. He also fulfilled his role as a gritty fourth liner in his 80 games played – also a career-high.

“They brought me in here to be that fourth-line center that plays a good two-way game, can kill penalties and that’s kind of been my role for a while now,” Carrick said at break-up day Monday.

Carrick did his job this season despite an ever-changing fourth line. He remained a constant as the roster around him kept shifting throughout the season.

“It’s tough. Every year, there’s turnover with guys getting called up and guys getting injured, so you’re always having new linemates,” he said. “I thought I built some good chemistry with a few guys here. Hopefully, we can keep building that.”

The fourth line looked its best when Carrick was flanked by Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom for a month before Edstrom went down with a season-ending injury Feb. 1. Carrick is looking forward to sharing the ice with the towering wings again next season.

“I thought we were doing our role pretty well,” Carrick explained. “We’d get out there for a lot of D-zone face-offs, and we’d end up in the offensive zone setting up the next line for an offensive zone shift. Those guys made a ton of strides.”

Carrick signed a three-year, $3 million contract last summer to replace waived veteran Barclay Goodrow. That deal provided some stability for Carrick, though after spending parts of nine years in the NHL with four teams, he knows his situation could change at any moment.

“Stability is really just a word,” he stated. “Things can change tomorrow, so I don’t really try to get comfortable or complacent with where I’m at. There’s always things I’m looking to do to improve.”

Sam Carrick became key part of Rangers on, off ice: ‘It’s something that I’m super proud of’

While putting up a respectable season on the ice, Carrick also made a lasting impression with his Rangers teammates.

Carrick won the Players’ Player Award, given to the Ranger who “best exemplifies what it means to be a team player.” The award, voted on by his teammates, means the world to Carrick.

“We have a ton of really good guys here, a lot of character in this room,” he said. “I’m honored that they voted for me in that. It’s very special, it’s something that I’m super proud of. To be respected by your teammates is probably the best honor you can have.”

Carrick went as far as you can go in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season without winning. Sent to the Edmonton Oilers in a three-team deal before the NHL Trade Deadline, he and the Oilers ultimately lost Game 7 of the Final to the Florida Panthers. 

It was a much different experience in New York, where despite high expectations entering the season, the Rangers missed the playoffs entirely. Even though his first season on Broadway didn’t go as planned, Carrick enjoyed year one of his multiyear contract with the Rangers.

“It’s well-known it’s disappointing to not make the playoffs,” he said, “but at the end of the day, I’m super-honored to be a New York Ranger.”