Toronto Maple Leafs: 2017-18 Player Profiles

Welcome back to another episode of Toronto Maple Leafs player profiles.

Last time, we covered a rare gem from the Brian Burke era. The Toronto Maple Leafs sixth round pick in 2012 would turn out to fly under the radar and become a solid middle six forward. His name is Connor Brown.

As per usual, we’re going in alphabetical order, so today we’re going to be taking a look at somebody who arrived in Toronto during the first season of the rebuild. His name is Connor Carrick.

Carrick’s Career

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A native of Orland Park, Illinois, Carrick began his youth career playing within the USNTDP. He played for both the US U17 and U18 teams as well as their junior teams. In 2011-12, he played 21 games with the USNTDP Juniors, putting up five points.

He spent the majority of that season playing for the U18 team, registering 21 points through 57 games. His play was enough to get him noticed by general managers, and he was drafted at 137th overall in the fifth round by the Washington Capitals.

He played his post-draft season with the Plymouth Whalers, putting up 44 points in 68 games in his first and only season in the OHL.

Carrick would spend the next three and-a-half seasons playing within the Capitals organization. He spent 34 games in the NHL in 2013-14, putting up six points. The following season, he would stay in the AHL all season long, putting up 42 points in 73 games. In his final season in Washington, he would only play three games in the NHL while spending 47 games in the AHL, finishing with 26 points.

How he got to Toronto

The 2015-16 season was both one to forget and one to remember for the Leafs. They finished dead last, however with all of the acquisitions they made it ended up being a season to remember. In the midst of unloading Dion Phaneuf, James Reimer, and Roman Polak among other names, they dealt winger Daniel Winnik to the Washington Capitals. Winnik wasn’t having a good season, and they got quite the haul for him.

The return included a 2016 second round pick, veteran forward Brooks Laich, and Connor Carrick. Shortly after the deadline, the Leafs recalled almost all of their promising youth to get a look at what they had. The call-ups included top prospects William Nylander and Kasperi Kapanen, as well as recent signings Nikita Soshnikov and Zach Hyman. During this final stretch of games, Carrick also got the nod and he appeared in 16 games, putting up four points.

The AHL playoffs are where he really shined, however, putting up 18 points through 15 games. It seemed almost inevitable that Carrick would make the team out of training camp the following season. He had done enough to impress Lou and Babcock and it was finally his time to show that he belonged in the NHL.

Carrick Last Season

Carrick played a regular role during the 2016-17 season, appearing in 67 games after missing some time due to injury. However, his offense was slightly underwhelming with only eight points. Besides that, the Leafs got everything they thought they were getting with Carrick. At 5’11 and 194lbs, he wasn’t the biggest guy on the ice but he was fearless. He could lay down hits as if he was 6’4 and 220lbs and he had an offensive touch from time to time. It’s safe to say that Carrick will be back with the Maple Leafs next season.

Carrick’s Role Next Season: Third Pairing Right-Handed D

With Nikita Zaitsev and Ron Hainsey likely taking up the right side on the top two pairings, it’s most likely we’ll see Carrick on the bottom pairing and right side. Who he plays alongside, however, is a wildcard.

Next: Stranger Things

It could be Martin Marincin or it could be a youngster such as Calle Rosen or Travis Dermott. Either way, bottom pairing RHD is where we’ll see him next season.

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Toronto Maple Leafs: 2017-18 Player Profiles – Connor Carrick

By Alex Hobson | Jul 28, 2017