Michael Russo: Ryan Carter to attempt a comeback with the Wild

[tomgilbertfan]

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[TaLoN]

Meh... Ryan Carter does nothing for this team.

 

[Minnesota]

Carter could be valuable depth come playoff time. I've liked what he's brought to the team in the past.

 

[Eple]

Chicago has been on the cap treadmil for a while, and they've done fine.

2009-10 cup winning team lost Ladd, Byfuglien, Sopel, Madden, Versteeg

2012-13 cup winners lost Stalberg, Bolland, Frolik

2014-15 lost Saad, Richards, Sharp.

They let some go, but also made good trades along the way. Some good players will leave, that is a given. Up to Fletcher to maximize value along the way.

Not saying we can't manage to stay competitive next year, but just pointing out that Chicago's core was on another level. Every one of Toews/Kane/Keith in their cup winning years were on a higher level than what we have to offer on the same positions right now. Maybe Suter compares on defence, but I think there too Keith has the edge. You can afford to shed some depth more easily when the core is that good.

 

[TaLoN]

Carter could be valuable depth come playoff time. I've liked what he's brought to the team in the past.

Unless he's figured out how to skate again... he wasn't the same player last year as he was in the past.

 

[TwiztedHeat]

Meh... Ryan Carter does nothing for this team.

I'm not sure I agree with you here. He can bring playoff experience as a 4C and genuine PK ability all without having to give anything but cap space for a 4C vet for the playoffs.

 

[57special]

Carter is tough, not slow... Would be handy against a team like LA. I think his injury really limited his effectiveness.

 

[TaLoN]

Carter is tough, not slow... Would be handy against a team like LA. I think his injury really limited his effectiveness.

I know he used to not be slow... but he looked slow as hell last year. Supposedly he's been working on his skating with Diane and Andy Ness though... so maybe he got some of his stride back.

All I know, is if he looks as slow and ineffective as last year, it would be of no help.

http://www.startribune.com/sources-ryan-carter-to-attempt-a-comeback-with-the-wild/413352203/#1

Carter has been skating for the past month with Wild skating specialists, mother and son team, Diane and Andy Ness.

I guess we'll find out... he's going to be practicing with the team for a few weeks before the Wild decide if he's worth a contract. He'll either get one or he won't.

With the Wild on an eight-game homestand, Carter is expected to take part in practices and morning skates the rest of the month.

It'll be a tryout of sorts.

The timeframe makes sense. It'll be an opportunity for the team to assess whether Carter's healthy enough and still good enough to potentially help down the stretch. If the Wild ultimately determines he can, Carter could be signed to a contract for the rest of the season.

If signed by the March 1 trade deadline, Carter would be eligible for the playoffs.

I'm not sure I agree with you here. He can bring playoff experience as a 4C and genuine PK ability all without having to give anything but cap space for a 4C vet for the playoffs.

The Carter of a few years ago... absolutely... the Carter of last year? Absolutely not. We don't know if he has anything left in the tank. My comment was based on what we saw last year. IF he has improved... and the Wild look to be somewhat skeptical themselves by the sound of it... then sure he can help. That remains to be seen and the Wild are going to take a long look before they make any decision.

If they think he's improved and worth it, I'll be in favor of it - they're obviously doing their due diligence on the issue. If they don't feel he's improved, they won't offer him a contract and will look elsewhere and I'll be in favor of that as well.

 

[Lapa]

Moved the Carter talk to this thread.

“He said they’d help me with surgery, and I don’t think they have any responsibility to take care of me, so I appreciate that.”

Turns out, Fletcher is a man of his word and will give Carter a shot to prove he can still play.

That was classy of Fletcher.

 

[TaLoN]

The organization has a history of being classy like that. It makes it easier to root for the franchise knowing they do good things for their players/former players etc.

 

[gphr513]

Cool. Hopefully he is able to contribute. Carter always seemed like a good guy!

 

[Engebretson]

Best case scenario... he adds more depth to our bottom six and brings playoff experience.

Worst case scenario... he runs the James Sheppard Memorial Popcorn Machine?

There's definitely more upside than downside here and I'm glad they're seeing what they have in a free asset like this before trying to overpay for a bottom six center at the TDL.

 

[BigT2002]

If he can skate, I have no qualms putting him in a pressbox in the event someone got hurt and no one in Iowa is showing progress to play 2-3 games in the playoffs.

 

[123TripleDoge]

Just irks me that we didn't get something done with Cullen. Imagine our team with him as 4c this year :O

 

[TaLoN]

Just irks me that we didn't get something done with Cullen. Imagine our team with him as 4c this year :O

Omg...

Hmmm...I imagine the Wild would be first in the Central division and first in the Western Conference....oh....wait....

 

[57special]

Just irks me that we didn't get something done with Cullen. Imagine our team with him as 4c this year :O

I can't let it go either.

I thought Carter's main problem was his shoulder? Shouldn't have affected his skating. If his shoulder has healed up then he might be able to give us a tough, smart option as the 13th forward. Schroeder simply hasn't shown anything on a consistent basis. Carter, if healthy, can forecheck and bring the body consistently. Should any silly stuff happen, he can stand up for his teammates. Stewart can use some backup. Carter is ( was?) a better option than Gabriel, IMO.

 

[TaLoN]

You don't remember our entire 4th line getting skated circles around them consistently all last season? Carter was part of that before he was injured. He had clearly lost a step last year, and his shoulder injury getting him off the ice was somewhat of a blessing as it removed at least one liability from the ice.

He was downright bad last year.

 

[57special]

You don't remember our entire 4th line getting skated circles around them consistently all last season? Carter was part of that before he was injured. He had clearly lost a step last year, and his shoulder injury getting him off the ice was somewhat of a blessing as it removed at least one liability from the ice.

He was downright bad last year.

Agree that he wasn't good last year. IIRC, he injured his shoulder in the previous year's playoffs, and it just never healed correctly. Couldn't play physically, nor put any pressure on his stick. I think it caused him to play hesitantly.

You could be right, and he has lost it. Bergenheim was an example of a guy who looked like he still had game, but couldn't play. Maybe Carter is the same. If he can't play physically, he's not much good. The " good Carter" I remember had decent speed, was physical, played sound defense, played a passable 4C, and could fight. If he can't do either of the first two things, then the last two don't matter.

 

[Aurinko]

Strong with the puck, can create takeaways.

Invisible but solid player.

edit: another thing... he isn't getting any younger and he knows it. I expect him to be a team player with max effort!

 

[Minnesota]

You don't remember our entire 4th line getting skated circles around them consistently all last season? Carter was part of that before he was injured. He had clearly lost a step last year, and his shoulder injury getting him off the ice was somewhat of a blessing as it removed at least one liability from the ice.

He was downright bad last year.

Guess I don't remember that...

My memories of him were strong forechecking, and fighting. Took some stupid penalties, too. Whatever, if Stewart goes down with an injury I'd be happy to have Carter back on the 4th line instead of some AHL scrub.

 

[ThatGuy22]

I suspect this is just a courtesy to Carter. I'd be shocked if he got anything more than AHL deal to get some games under his belt

 

[Engebretson]

Don't let them call it a comeback, Ryan

 

[TaLoN]

Agree that he wasn't good last year. IIRC, he injured his shoulder in the previous year's playoffs, and it just never healed correctly. Couldn't play physically, nor put any pressure on his stick. I think it caused him to play hesitantly.

You could be right, and he has lost it. Bergenheim was an example of a guy who looked like he still had game, but couldn't play. Maybe Carter is the same. If he can't play physically, he's not much good. The " good Carter" I remember had decent speed, was physical, played sound defense, played a passable 4C, and could fight. If he can't do either of the first two things, then the last two don't matter.

If The good Carter is back, then this could be good...if not, the Wild will likely figure it out in practice and they'll walk away.

The team is doing their diligence before making a decision, so I'll support whatever they go with. I just don't expect much going into it because of what I last saw of him.

 

[tomgilbertfan]

 

[lakai17]

he will need a few weeks in Iowa then to get back into game condition.