A look into why Oilers’ Sam Carrick is a subtly significant piece for the playoff run

Moreover, we’ve seen his courage and grit in the first game he played in an Oilers uniform against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Edmonton was down by two goals, and in an attempt to spark his team, Carrick challenged a tough customer in Mathieu Olivier. While Olivier earned the takedown, Carrick landed some very solid punches.

Ducks Started Games With Carrick to Set the Tone

Additionally, in four games played with the Oilers, the Markham, ON native has thrown eight hits despite averaging just over nine minutes a game, showing his willingness to create energy with his limited ice time. On that note, French also mentioned Carrick’s ability to spark momentum for his team, saying:

“At times this season [the Ducks] have started the game with our fourth line with Sam Carrick and again, he can center, he can play the wing, he’s a natural center, but he started the game a lot because, you use that word, the energy word — he certainly brings energy when he’s on a line with other people. He brings energy.”

Over the last two games, Carrick has centered the fourth line in between Corey Perry and Mattias Janmark. It remains to be seen if that trio will be a line heading into the playoffs, but if that’s the case, among the three of them, the Oilers fourth line will finally have somewhat of an identity, something that has been lacking for a while.

They can play physically, agitate and with the instigating sensei, Perry, who recently reached 900 career points, and in combination with Carrick’s 11-goal pace, they’ll also be able to contribute on the scoresheet. That said, if the Oilers want to set the tone physically, they can send that line out to start the game, as Carrick has done the job before and understands its effectiveness.

However, despite an emphasis on Carrick’s physicality and toughness, let’s not overlook his skill set. He’s shown to be defensively responsible, and the fact that he’s a right-handed shot is also valuable. In the last four games, he’s gone 23-12 in the faceoff circle, including going 8-0 against the Washington Capitals. This means the Oilers have another dependable faceoff man, along with Derek Ryan, to take key draws on their strong side, on the right. As well, French also spoke of the centerman’s defensive game, mentioning:

“He plays a 200-foot game. He’s coming back, he comes back, he’s backchecking and he’s certainly a 200-foot player. And I think that’s certainly important especially when you’re out there on a fourth-line role. But it’s the hits, the checks, all the things you don’t get a lot of credit for.”

Considering everything, Carrick appears to be an underrated component of the deal with the Ducks and projects to be a sneaky good addition. He’s tough, physical and a defensively responsible centerman whose name will appear on the scoresheet from time to time, and he might quietly play a key role in the Oilers’ quest for a Stanley Cup.