Carrick posted an assist and three hits in Thursday's 7-6 win over the Ducks.
Carrick returned from a four-game absence due to a middle-body injury. The 34-year-old forward saw a team-low 8:45 of ice time, though that's to be expected coming off an injury for a player that wasn't a lock to play prior to his absence. The helper was his first point of the season to go with one shot on net, 12 hits, four PIM and a minus-2 rating through five appearances. Given his likely part-time role, he's not a strong fantasy option.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Slated to return Thursday
Rotowire
Carrick (middle body) is expected to be activated off injured reserve ahead of Thursday's game against the Ducks.
Carrick spent the past week on injured reserve due to a mid-body injury, but he centered the fourth line during Thursday's morning skate and should be able to return to action against Anaheim. Across his four regular-season appearances this year, Carrick has been held scoreless with nine hits and four PIM while averaging 7:23 of ice time.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: On injured reserve
Rotowire
Carrick (upper body) was put on injured reserve Wednesday, per Heather Engel of NHL.com.
Carrick will miss Wednesday's game against Philadelphia. The 34-year-old has no points, four PIM and nine hits in four appearances this campaign. He's not always in the lineup when healthy, so there's no guarantee that Buffalo will promptly use him once he's available.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Ruled out Wednesday
Rotowire
Carrick (upper body) will not be in the lineup versus the Flyers on Wednesday, Joe Yerdon of Bleacher Report reports.
Carrick has only appeared in four of the Sabres' nine games to start the year, so he's far from a lock for the lineup even when healthy. While the team will also be without forward Justin Danforth (upper body), it will get Jason Zucker (abdomen) in the lineup for the first time this year. At this point, Carrick figures to remain a fringe roster piece even after being cleared to play and won't offer much in terms of fantasy value.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Being evaluated
Rotowire
Carrick is being evaluated for a mid-body injury, according to Heather Engel of NHL.com on Tuesday.
Carrick has suited up in only two of Buffalo's last seven games, though his previous absences aren't believed to be injury-related. He hasn't earned a point in four appearances this season, but he has contributed one shot on net and nine hits.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Available for Game 3
Rotowire
Carrick (arm) will be an option for Game 3 against Montreal on Sunday, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.
Carrick could replace Tyson Kozak, who skipped Saturday's practice for maintenance, in Sunday's lineup versus the Canadiens. The 34-year-old Carrick hasn't played since March 31 against the Islanders because of a left arm injury. He had nine goals, 16 points, 75 shots on net and 106 hits across 73 appearances between the Sabres and Rangers during the 2025-26 regular season.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Sitting out Game 2
Rotowire
Carrick (arm) will not be in the lineup versus the Canadiens for Game 2 on Friday, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.
According to head coach Lindy Ruff, if the Sabres absolutely needed Carrick for a Game 7, the 34-year-old center could be an option. With the team up 1-0 in the series, it seems it will give the Ontario native an extra few days off. Given the update, fantasy managers could probably plan to see Carrick in the lineup for Game 3 on Sunday. Whenever he returns to action, it figures to be in a bottom-six role.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Not returning Wednesday
Rotowire
Carrick (arm) is not on the ice for warmups and won't play Wednesday in Game 1 versus the Canadiens, Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reports.
Carrick was upgraded to day-to-day after participating in practice Tuesday. Considering he was previously expected to miss the whole second round, this is a great sign of progress, but there's no firm date set for his return. His next chance to play is Friday in Game 2.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Possible for Wednesday
Rotowire
Carrick (arm) is a possibility for Game 1 against Montreal on Wednesday, Kristen Shilton of ESPN reports.
Carrick skated as an extra during Tuesday's practice, but he hasn't been ruled out for Wednesday's second-round opener. He was previously not expected to play in Round 2 of the postseason before being upgraded to day-to-day ahead of Game 1. At this point, fantasy managers will likely have to wait until the Sabres take the ice for pregame warmups to determine Carrick's availability.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Upgraded to day-to-day
Rotowire
Carrick (arm) is day-to-day after participating in Tuesday's practice, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
Carrick has been out since March 31 after getting injured against the Islanders, and he was initially not expected to be an option for Round 2 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, he could be available to return at some point during Buffalo's second-round series versus Montreal. He had nine goals, 16 points, 75 shots on net and 106 hits across 73 appearances between the Sabres and Rangers during the 2025-26 regular season. Once Carrick receives the green light to play, he could replace Tyson Kozak on the fourth line.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Set to practice Tuesday
Rotowire
Carrick (arm) is apparently further ahead of schedule than anticipated and is expected to rejoin practice Tuesday. Head coach Lindy Ruff told reporters Monday, "(He's) going to see our doctors today and thinks he's further along than maybe I portrayed yesterday. So, with good news, he could join our team back in practice tomorrow, which is great news. That would put him a little bit ahead of schedule."
While this news doesn't guarantee Carrick will be ready to play for Game 1 against the Canadiens on Wednesday, it certainly doesn't seem like he'll miss the entire second round as previously reported. Even once given the all-clear, Carrick figures to slot into a fourth-line role, where he is unlikely to offer much fantasy value outside of hits and PIM.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Not expected back in Round 2
Rotowire
Carrick (arm) isn't expected to be an option in the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reports Sunday.
Carrick is still dealing with a week-to-week injury and hasn't played since March 31 against the Islanders. He had nine goals, 16 points, 75 shots on net and 106 hits across 73 appearances between the Sabres and Rangers during the 2025-26 regular season. It remains unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Will miss first-round series
Rotowire
Carrick (arm) is not expected to be back in time to play in Buffalo's first-round series versus Boston, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.
Carrick had already been ruled out for some of the postseason, but this latest update seems to decrease his availability even if Buffalo advances. In 13 games with the Sabres this year, the veteran center has notched five goals and one helper. In his stead, Josh Dunne could continue to see bottom-six minutes.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Will miss start of playoffs
Rotowire
Carrick (arm) won't be ready for the start of the postseason, Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reports Thursday.
Carrick is still considered week-to-week. The 34-year-old will fill a fourth-line role once he's healthy again, but it's unclear when that will happen, as the Sabres haven't provided a firm timeline for his return.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Not available Thursday
Rotowire
Carrick (arm) has been ruled out for Thursday's clash in Ottawa, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.
Carrick suffered the injury Tuesday against the Islanders. Carrick will be replaced on the fourth line by Josh Dunne, who has been a healthy scratch in each of the last 13 games. Carrick has a goal and three assists in 31 games with Buffalo this season, and his next opportunity to suit up will be Saturday in Washington.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Pots game-winner Saturday
Rotowire
Carrick scored a goal on three shots in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Kings.
Carrick's tally at 11:12 of the third period stood as the game-winner. He's been better than initially expected for the Sabres -- he has more goals in eight games with Buffalo (five) than he had in 60 outings for the Rangers (four) to start the season. The fourth-line center is up to 16 points, 69 shots on net, 98 hits, 34 blocked shots, 60 PIM and a plus-2 rating through 68 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Nets two goals in big win
Rotowire
Carrick scored twice on three shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 5-0 win over the Sharks.
Carrick has four goals and an assist over his seven games with the Sabres since he was dealt from the Rangers. The 34-year-old has provided stability at the faceoff dot, and he's chipped in some valuable depth scoring as well. For the season, he's at eight goals, seven assists, 66 shots on net, 97 hits, 33 blocked shots, 60 PIM and a plus-1 rating over 67 appearances. Carrick's recent run of offense could put him on the radar in deeper fantasy formats.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Scores in Thursday's loss
Rotowire
Carrick scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Capitals.
Carrick is already proving valuable for the Sabres with two goals, six shots, eight hits and four blocked shots over his first four games with the team. His offense probably won't hold up over time, but it's his defensive skills that made him a trade target to begin with. The 34-year-old is at six goals, 12 points, 62 shots on net, 94 hits, 33 blocked shots and 58 PIM across 64 appearances between the Sabres and the Rangers this season.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Tallies in frantic third period
Rotowire
Carrick scored a goal on three shots, added five PIM, doled out three hits and went minus-2 in Sunday's 8-7 win over the Lightning.
Carrick's goal in the third period kept the Sabres within striking distance, and they ultimately pulled off a comeback. This was the 34-year-old's second game with his new team, and he's already settled in as the fourth-line center. Carrick is up to five goals, 11 points, 60 shots on net, 91 hits, 58 PIM and 30 blocked shots through 62 appearances between the Sabres and the Rangers.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Sam Carrick: Joining Buffalo in trade
Rotowire
Carrick was traded to the Sabres from the Rangers in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick Thursday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.
The Sabres continue to stock up at the deadline and will boost their bottom six with a defensive center who can win faceoffs at a high rate. Carrick has struggled with the Rangers, posting just 10 points in 60 contests. He's added 86 hits, 53 PIM and 56 shots on net. Carrick won't move the needle in fantasy, but he can certainly help Buffalo's on-ice situation with his skill set.
