Buffalo Sabres 2025-26 Player Grades: Sam Carrick – The Hockey Writers – Buffalo Sabres

It is no secret that the Buffalo Sabres have a lot of work to do this summer, especially with one of their biggest stars headed for greener pastures. That said, the foundation is strong and the Sabres should be a team to be reckoned with in the coming season.

As part of the offseason program, we will be looking at the performance of each player and giving them grades. Today’s focus was a late addition to the regular season roster but someone who wound up having a noticeable impact in a short period of time: Sam Carrick.

Production

Carrick came over in a trade right around the deadline, acquired from the New York Rangers for third- and sixth-round picks in the upcoming draft. He had just four goals and 10 points in 60 games with a bad Rangers team but found a bit of momentum with the Sabres.

In 13 games with the Sabres, Carrick lit the lamp five times and added an assist. That’s even more impressive when you consider he was averaging just under 11 minutes per game of ice time and was never known for his offensive ability.

Intangibles

The real value of Carrick’s game can’t be quantified on a stat sheet. From the first game, he brought a level of energy and physicality that helped elevate the fourth line. He was willing to throw his body around and even fight a bit, which unfortunately got him injured near the end of the regular season.

Carrick also has another skill that the Sabres desperately needed: the ability to win faceoffs. The Sabres were one of the worst teams in the league all year on faceoffs, and Carrick finished his 13 games winning more than 57% of his draws. Combined with a solid defensive game and it’s easy to see what the Sabres saw in him when they made the trade.

Overall Grade: A-

Carrick’s impact, albeit in a small sample size, cannot be overstated. He fit perfectly next to Beck Malenstyn and some combination of Jordan Greenway and Peyton Krebs. His energy is infectious, he wins faceoffs, he hits, and he’s willing to go to bat to defend his teammates.

The fourth line was impactful for the Sabres this past season and will be again in 2026-27. Carrick is set to be an important part of that line once again and should fill the same role in the coming season.

A Big Part of the Bottom Six

Part of what made the Sabres dangerous as a team last season was their ability to roll four lines. Head Coach Lindy Ruff clearly had a level of trust in that line, and Carrick was a key contributor to that group.

He should be fully healed from the shoulder injury that sidelined him early in the playoffs and left him limited the rest of the way. With Carrick back and healthy, and a new contract for Malenstyn, the Sabres should once again have one of the better fourth lines in the NHL.