Rangers signing Sam Carrick in NHL free agency
Cutting costs on the fourth line was a necessary course of action for the Rangers this offseason.
After shedding Barclay Goodrow and the three years remaining on his contract at $3,641,667 per year, the Blueshirts signed Sam Carrick for three years and just $1 million a season on the first day of free agency Monday.
He’ll compete for the role vacated by the utility forward.
The addition pads the Rangers’ center depth for the foreseeable future and for over $2.6 million less annually than Goodrow.
“I think everyone is well aware of what I think of Barclay and what he did for us in three years here,” Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury said Monday evening. “He was a great Ranger, played extremely hard every single night. When you’re in the position we’re in, there’s tough decisions as GM you have to make and again, he was a great Ranger and certainly wish him all the best in San Jose.
“As far as Sam, he brings a hard element to our group. Our scouts had their eye on him for a while and certainly when he got traded to Edmonton, watching him up there throughout the playoffs. Natural center who brings some edge, some grit, certainly some toughness as well to our bottom-six.”
A veteran centerman coming off a Stanley Cup Final loss with the Oilers, Carrick is projected to compete for the fourth-line center job once filled by Goodrow, who the Rangers put on waivers and was subsequently claimed by San Jose.
The 32-year-old Carrick totaled 10 goals last season with both the Ducks and Oilers, adding six assists as well for 16 points in 77 regular-season games.
Chipping in one assist in 10 playoff games, Carrick was a solid depth piece in Edmonton.
Additionally, Carrick’s win percentage is over 50 percent in the faceoff circle for his career.
He posted a 53.4 faceoff win percentage last season and an impressive 63.1 mark in the postseason.
The Rangers extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents Ryan Lindgren, Braden Schneider, Matthew Robertson and Karl Henriksson.
Bobby Trivigno and Olof Lindbom did not receive one and became unrestricted free agents.
Next season, the Blueshirts’ first home game will take place on Oct. 12 against Utah.
The full NHL schedule is expected to be released on Tuesday.