Sam Carrick The Leaf

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed 20 year old Centerman Sam Carrick to a 3 year Entry Level Contract on April 4th.

Sam Carrick has just finished his 4th season with the Brampton Battalion of the OHL. During his rookie season with the club, Carrick scored a low 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points, 47 penalty minutes and -2 in 61 games played. He would then jump to 21 goals, 21 assists for 42 point, 96 penalty minutes and 0 +/- in 66 games during his sophomore season. The following season Carrick would keep at pace with his sophomore season recording 16 goals, 23 assists for 39 points, 74 penalty minutes and -15 in 59 games. In his final season with the Battalion, Carrick would finally start to prove himself recording 37 goals, 30 assists for 67 points, 104 penalty minutes and +9 in 68 games.

Carrick is a strong skating with a noticeably big body (6-foot, 207 pounds). Carrick is fearless, ready to fight any player of any size when needed. His great two-way puts him above his peers and will be or do anything his team needs to win. In that sense he is much like a younger Danius Zubrus. Carrick's issue however is consistency. While he tries to do so much he starts to lose them all entirely. If he can work on simplifying what he does he will become a strong player. Reminds me of an old Native American Proberb; "If you chase two rabbits, you will lose them both".

The Leaf's 5th round draft choice in 2010 (144th overall) will most likely have to work hard through the system to become a leaf. Lots of years proving his worth in the Marlies.

Leafs signing rating: B-, truly an underrated prospect who should help Leaf depth in the future.