The New Jersey Devils gave Connor Carrick a brand new $3 million, two-year deal. Did they really give him that kind of money just to be an extra defenseman?
The New Jersey Devils brought back defenseman Connor Carrick on a two-year deal. It’s not really a surprise since the Devils did give him a qualifying offer, but what was slightly a surprise was the contract he got. The Devils gave him two years, and $1.5 million per season.
The Devils basically replaced Steven Santini‘s salary with Carrick’s. It’s probably a universal thought that Carrick showed he was a better player than Santini last season. However, did we think he’d get a two-year deal?
It’s not like he definitely doesn’t deserve it. After he came to the Devils from the Dallas Stars in the Ben Lovejoy trade, he was quite good. Obviously, that Devils team was basically an AHL team at that point. He still had seven points in 20 games in New Jersey. This was very good for a player that felt like a throw in to a trade for a sixth defenseman.
Carrick comes into a defense that went from one of the worst in the NHL, to a unit that could surprise some people. The Devils added P.K. Subban to be that number-one guy, and plan to add Ty Smith to be a teenage spark. They already have Sami Vatanen and Damon Severson, who could play as a 1B or 2A option.
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The Devils captain is defenseman Andy Greene. It’s clear that Greene isn’t the defenseman he once was, but he plays a vital role into the health of this team. He led the league in blocked shots and is crucial to the team’s penalty kill. He needs to be in the lineup.
So, what does that mean for Carrick? Did they really give $1.5 million for a guy who’s only an injury fill in?
It’s more complicated than that. Greene is going to turn 37 years old during the season. He’s going to need rest. So will Ty Smith, who’s never played more than 69 games in a regular season. An extra 13 games doesn’t sound like a lot, but with the extra travel an NHL player does, it takes a toll quickly.
Even if he is “just” an injury replacement, can we remind you how last year went? The Devils dressed 13 different defenseman over the course of the season. Yes, last season was likely an anomaly, but even the season before when they made the playoffs they had nine different defensemen in the lineup. Carrick is going to get plenty of chances to prove himself next season.
Expect Carrick to play at least 50 games this year. That’s still a little pricey for $1.5 million, but the Devils weren’t spending that cap space anyway. We’d much rather keep Carrick, who’s been a really good option and gives the Devils depth.