The New Jersey Devils announced on Tuesday the team had re-signed defenceman Connor Carrick to a new two-year contract worth $3 million that carries an annual cap hit of $1.5 million.
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Devils Re-Sign Connor Carrick
Carrick was one of 40 players who filed for salary arbitration back on July 5th and was scheduled to have a hearing on July 25th. In four seasons in the NHL, Carrick has played in 201 games notching 41 points (11 goals and 30 assists) playing for the Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, and New Jersey Devils. Carrick played in 34 games last season splitting time between the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils and recorded 11 points (two goals and nine assists).
The Devils acquired the defenceman on February 23, 2019 from the Stars in exchange for Ben Lovejoy. In his debut with the Devils against the Canadiens on February 25th, Carrick recorded two assists. Carrick’s first goal as a Devil would come against the New York Rangers in April as it turned out to be a game winner in a 4-2 victory.
Devils Defense Going Forward
With the signing of Carrick, the Devils have depth on defence. That’s something they have not had since their championship days of the early 2000’s. Carrick joins a group that includes Sami Vatanen, Andy Greene, Damon Severson, and newly acquired defenseman P.K. Subban.
The Devils still have $18.345 million in cap space to sign defencemen Mirco Mueller and Will Butcher to contracts. Both Mueller and Butcher filed for salary arbitration back on July 5th. Mueller is scheduled to have a hearing on July 28th while Butcher has a hearing on August 2nd.
As for Carrick he will have some competition come the start of training camp in September if he wants to earn a spot in the top six. Ty Smith, the Devils first round draft pick in 2018 will have opportunity to win a position this season. After a good showing last season in Devils camp, Smith is out to prove he is no fluke. After what he did last week at Devils developmental camp, Carrick is in for some stiff competition.
