2025 Rangers Report Card: Sam Carrick

This post is part of an ongoing series of Rangers Report Cards, grading the performance of each member of the 2024-25 New York Rangers. To view more report cards in this series, go here.

Expectations

There was some perplexity when the New York Rangers announced they had signed 32-year-old Sam Carrick to a three-contract with an AAV of $1 million. Although, after establishing himself as a quintessential veteran fourth line center and highlighted by becoming an unlikely hero in an overtime win against the Devils, it became clear there was some serious value in this signing. He was the exact type of signing Chris Drury was hoping for when he overpaid for Barclay Goodrow. 

Heading into the season, the expectations for Carrick were simply to just be an effective fourth line center option that can fill the void left by Goodrow. A guy that comes with valuable experience that can be the benchmark for what a Rangers fourth liner should look like. Someone for younger guys like Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom to learn from. 

Performance

79 GP—6 G—14 A—20 PTS

Sam Carrick had a career high 20 point season for the Rangers in a little under a full-season's worth of games played. From the first official puck drop of the season right until the team was eliminated from the playoff race, Carrick became a staple on that fourth line and even spent some nights on the third. Granted, that was a classic example of the Rangers overusing depth players but nonetheless, it’s fair to say Carrick exceeded what was expected of him this season. 

Chris Drury essentially brought him in to be Barclay Goodrow’s replacement, which is exactly what Carrick brought to the table. We knew the minute Drury signed Goodrow to that six-year contract that it wasn’t going to age well. And, sure enough, after three seasons Drury felt the need to move on. Despite an impressive playoff performance, Goodrow wasn’t putting up the numbers someone making $3.6 million AAV should be. In 80 regular season games last year, Goodrow had just 12 points to show for and went on to collect eight points in three less games with the Sharks this season. 

Carrick was far more effective for the Rangers this season. His 20 points are not only more than Godorow had as a Ranger last year, but significantly more than what Goodrow contributed top the San Jose Sharks this season. For as much of a stir the decision to waive Goodrow caused, it was the right business decision and not particularly close. Carrick may not have the championship pedigree that Goodrow came with, but he was fresh off a visit to last year’s Stanley Cup Final, which does count for something. Unfortunately for him and the Rangers, it wouldn’t pay dividends this season as the team missed the playoffs by about six points. 

Still, Carrick became an effective part of this Rangers team and wasted no time making an impact as he had one of the six goals they put up against the Penguins in the season opener. While he would only pick up an assist for the rest of October, he finished his first month on the team a +3 and wouldn’t be a minus player until the team really started to struggle in December. 

Nonetheless, Carrick came back from the holiday’s on a mission to be a part of the solution in New York, putting up a total of eight points in the month of January (4 goals and 4 assists). One of those goals came in the form of the overtime game winner that became the long bright spot in an awful match-up for the Rangers this season with the New Jersey Devils. 

Despite a rough February, Carrick would finish the season with another goal and four assists to put a bow on what became a career high season. He finished his first campaign as a Ranger a +5 with one shorthanded goal, two game-winners, 42 blocked-shots, 137 hits and a face-off win percentage of 54.2. All in all, a pretty good showing from a well-respected veteran who was named the recipient of this year’s Player’s Player Award as voted on by his teammates. 

Grades

Author Grade: B

Banter Consensus: B

Final Evaluation

Carrick still has two-years remaining on his contract which at 33 years of age, isn’t the most ideal situation. However, if he remains an effective fourth liner for this team, even if it’s in a tandem role with Jonny Brodzinksi, it can be viewed as a success. Expecting him to have another career-high season at the age of 34 isn’t the most realistic expectation for him moving forward but if he can continue to contribute give or take 15 points a season and play an effective all-around game, you’re getting your money’s worth for a veteran fourth liner. 

It’ll really come down to how the rest of this roster shapes out to be heading into next season. Under no circumstances should this be a player you consider as a third line option but if your fourth line is Edstrom - Carrick/Brodzinski - Rempe, that’s an incredibly solid foundation in your bottom six that has the makings to become a reliable line that can perhaps even play a shutdown type of role some day down the road.