Sam Carrick: A Steady Force for the Rangers

Sam Carrick has been a reliable presence for the Rangers over two tumultuous seasons. At 34, he remains consistent, both on and off the ice.

There’s little doubt about the kind of player Carrick is. His performance is likely to stand out even more this season, especially as he’s positioned to contend for the Stephen Macdonald Special Effort Award. This award recognizes a Ranger who has gone “above and beyond,” as determined by fan votes.

“He’s a great teammate,” commented head coach Mike Sullivan. “He puts in the effort that often goes unnoticed—blocking shots, competing fiercely, and playing physically. The work he does is crucial for the team. He really goes out of his way for his fellow players.”

“I think he plays with a lot of courage. It’s hard not to appreciate a player like that,” Sullivan added, noting Carrick’s competitive spirit.

Recently, Carrick participated in the Rangers’ first game after the Olympic break at Madison Square Garden, scoring a goal in his seventh game of the season.

His contribution became even more significant after Garnet Hathaway of the Flyers hit teammate Brennan Osman. Following the incident, Carrick stepped up in his role as the team’s enforcer, especially after Matt Lempe’s thumb injury sidelined him. He’s no stranger to this role, having lived it for ten years in the NHL, and sees it as his way to support the team.

“I never want to roll over and give up,” Carrick shared post-practice. “At the end of the day, it’s about giving our all every night—worrying less about the scoreboard, and more about the pride we take in our performance. It doesn’t always go as planned, but if we can feel good about our effort, that’s within our control.”

In a recent move, the Rangers claimed left wing Ty Carty off waivers from the Seattle Kraken. This marks Carty’s third NHL season, during which he played 40 games and accumulated eight points—three goals and five assists. Despite ranking third on the Kraken for hits with 98, he had the least number of hits among Seattle players who appeared in at least 40 games this season.

Carty had a notable first season in Seattle, scoring 11 goals and earning 20 points over 77 games, averaging just under 12 minutes of ice time per game. The 24-year-old brings a physical style of play and a history of penalty-taking to the Rangers.

To accommodate Carty, the Rangers opted to send Osman back to Hartford.