March 6: The Sabres have officially announced the deal.
March 5: The Sabres are set to acquire center Sam Carrick from the Rangers, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports. New York receives Buffalo’s third-round pick and Chicago’s sixth-round pick in this year’s draft in return, Friedman added later. Carrick was held out of tonight’s win over the Maple Leafs for asset protection.
Carrick, 34, is just past the midway point of the three-year, $3MM contract he landed in Manhattan as a free agent in 2024. At a cap hit of $1MM, he’s been a legitimately impactful fourth-line pivot for the Rangers for the past year-plus. In 140 games for the Blueshirts, he netted 10 goals and 30 points while averaging 11:17 of ice time per game. He went 54.1% in the faceoff circle and put up exceptional possession numbers for his role as a defensive specialist at 5-on-5.
That last part has been especially true this season. He’s actually managed a cumulative +3 rating despite starting over 75% of his shifts in the defensive zone since arriving in New York, and the Rangers’ most-used fourth-line combo this season of Carrick, Adam Edstrom, and Matt Rempe has controlled 55.6% of expected goals.
While Buffalo’s main goal at the deadline is to add right-shot depth at defense, acquiring a #4 center behind their strong one-two-three punch of Tage Thompson, Ryan McLeod, and Joshua Norris was likely the second checkbox on GM Jarmo Kekäläinen‘s list. They haven’t had a stable option down the middle on the fourth line all year, frequently alternating between Joshua Dunne and Tyson Kozak. Combined, they have 106 games of NHL experience compared to Carrick’s 380.
Longevity aside, Carrick is a legitimate upgrade on both sides of the puck. Dunne has just four points for his career in 46 games, while Kozak has four points in 39 games this year. Dunne hasn’t cracked 100 draws on the year, while Kozak has won a respectable but upgradeable 49.1%. Kozak, in particular, has also posted worse possession impacts than Carrick in comparable defensive/offensive zone splits at 5-on-5.
Carrick also gives the Sabres a plug-and-play option at the position through next season while being a cost-effective 13th forward if he does fall out of the regular rotation. That latter consideration is important for a team that finds itself in unfamiliar territory close to the upper limit, needing to use virtually all their available space for next season to get new deals done for Alex Tuch and Zach Benson.
The Sabres have dressed 35 players this season for at least 1 game, They may win the Atlantic division, Why do they need Sam Carrick?
Toughness primarily. Sabres were a little soft. Carrick, Schenn and Stanley all have similar traits that fix that a bunch. Recent history proves you need that in the playoffs.
This is why Parayko rejecting Trae was great imo. Sure a better “player” overall than these other players, he did really fit the needs for this team not familiar with the playoffs! Size and grit is what this team needs. Toughness. Parayko is size but he’s soft and his skill set is actually buried to the 5-6 spot on the Sabres d corp.
I mean, Parayko blocking the trade really sucks, but the 3 they picked up today adds a lot of sandpaper to their lineup, and upgrades their lineup especially at 4C and the 3rd pair D
What?? You mean to tell us that in this market, a team actually acquired a fourth liner without having to pay a first or second rounder to do it?
How can this be???? (reaches for the smelling salts)
I was thinking the same thing. I feel like 4th line forwards are the hot commodity these days…
The Sabres acquired Luke Schenn….but also got Sam Carrick? That is not exactly Brayden Schenn #10….well the deadline isn’t over yet
Another weak trade by Drury.
Thank you for your service Sam. Wish you have stayed with Rangers to show them toughness and heart
One of the few Rangers that showed up to play every game this season. Sorry to see him go.
Would’ve thought he be worth a 2nd or a mid-grade prospect since he still has term. But a 3rd and a 6th might bolster Hartford, or whichever ECHL team the Rangers are affiliated with next season.