Player Discussion Paul Carey

[alkurtz]

I'm always interested in human interest stories and this guy is perhaps the best such story on the Rangers this year.
When you look at the arc of his career, you would have to say that he is what in baseball is called a AAAA players: perhaps to good for the minor leagues but not quite good enough for the majors.
Good enough for an occasional call-up when injuries hit, good enough always to get a contract, likely two-way each season, good enough to be in training camp, but never really a serious threat to make the roster.
After 5 years in the AHL and 4 call-up totaling 30 or so games, his mantra each September was likely "I just want a chance to prove what I could do on an extended basis. That's all I want....a chance."
At age 29, he was likely beginning to think that his NHL window was closing and maybe beginning to consider playing in Europe or the KHL.
And, this year, he got that long-desired chance. And, you know what, he's done a pretty good job.
He will never be more than a 4th liner, but sometimes 4th liners can have an NHL career that extends for a few years.
It's just nice to see a guy living his dream, spending an entire year in the NHL (though he is probably still not confident enough to believe that his roster spot is safe...and he may be right), and making the most of what is an opportunity that he thought would never happen.
I'm rooting for the guy and hope he stays and continues to play.
So often we forget that these guys are human beings. This is a real human interest story and heartening to see.

Click to read more...

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He's shooting over 20%. He's not that good.

But if you average out his numbers, he's mid 20's per 82 games with a normal shooting percentage, and he's playing less than 10 minutes per game. Thats quality hockey. He has decent speed, works hard, okay defensively. He has some playmaking ability, although he's not a huge skill guy. I'd give him a chance to compete for 4LW next season. If someone else takes it, he can be the 13th forward. He might be a 4th liner in the NHL, I wouldn't doubt it.

 

[NCRanger]

I don't understand why there is so much animosity against Carey.

12 points from a 4th liner in half a season? There are guys throughout the league who are supposedly 2nd liners, who are loved by many on these boards who don't have 12 points.

He's miles ahead of everyone who played in his role under AV, except maybe Carcillo, and that's only because Carcillo could agitate. Carey makes Tanner Glass look like a pee-wee. It's not even a "human interest" story; Paul Carey is a pretty decent hockey player, who is more than serviceable.

In all honesty, I'd consider playing Carey with Zibanejad and Buchnevich just to see if he could play a Kreider-like game, minus the speed. He's one of the few Rangers who actually do bang along the boards and will go to the front of the net.

 

[nyr2k2]

He has been pretty OK.

 

[Irishguy42]

He's a serviceable fourth liner. Does his job. Doesn't screw up often.

I like him. He fits in well with the team. I would like to see him back on the team next year, or at least competing for a spot.

 

[Vitto79]

He’s done a good job he’s just likely not a long term guy just a good plug

I won’t be shocked if he’s waived and clears at the deadline

 

[Edge]

I don't understand why there is so much animosity against Carey.

12 points from a 4th liner in half a season? There are guys throughout the league who are supposedly 2nd liners, who are loved by many on these boards who don't have 12 points.

He's miles ahead of everyone who played in his role under AV, except maybe Carcillo, and that's only because Carcillo could agitate. Carey makes Tanner Glass look like a pee-wee. It's not even a "human interest" story; Paul Carey is a pretty decent hockey player, who is more than serviceable.

In all honesty, I'd consider playing Carey with Zibanejad and Buchnevich just to see if he could play a Kreider-like game, minus the speed. He's one of the few Rangers who actually do bang along the boards and will go to the front of the net.

I think it stems from history.

There always seems to be that one journeyman who plays above expectations and has the season of his career before fading back into oblivion and becoming a trivia question.

I think people tend to hedge their bets so that they're not as disappointed when that takes place, which happens more often than not. It's hard for a lot of people to get behind a player who they feel isn't part of a long-term plan. There's not a lot of wiggle room to "dream" and people like that ability. It's why every first round pick is going to be a core player for 15 years.

 

[Off Sides]

12 points in 32 games, not a total mess defensively albeit not great. I think he's been one of the better values the Rangers 4th line has had on it in a long time.

 

[alkurtz]

I'm not even looking at it from a skills standpoint: he is what he is. I just think it's a feel good story and trying to see it from his standpoint. All those years of riding buses in the minors hoping for a chance and likely despairing that it would ever happen. Just enough cups of coffee to know what its like in the big time. And then, it finally happens. Nice. Good for him. I think it is something that, as fans, we can all relate to. Maybe he establishes himself as one of AV's guys who will always get a shot no matter where AV coaches.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I think it stems from history.

There always seems to be that one journeyman who plays above expectations and has the season of his career before fading back into oblivion and becoming a trivia question.

I think people tend to hedge their bets so that they're not as disappointed when that takes place, which happens more often than not. It's hard for a lot of people to get behind a player who they feel isn't part of a long-term plan. There's not a lot of wiggle room to "dream" and people like that ability. It's why every first round pick is going to be a core player for 15 years.

First name that pops in my head is Stralman.

 

[Ori]

Yeah, Carey has played very well recently, and the whole team had a slow start including our 4th line this season. However I hope he figure it out in NHL to get a solid spot on that 4th line this season.

 

[Edge]

First name that pops in my head is Stralman.

Right, wrong or otherwise, I think people think of guys like Diaz or Bickell, Newbury, Glass, Voros. Rissmiller, or Jeff Toms. Or a host of other guys, some with more NHL experience, who pretty much were what they were, felt like an obligatory veteran signing because a prospect wasn't ready, and are out of the league a season or two later.

 

[Inferno]

As a 4th liner...really like him. Anything more....no.

 

[McRanger]

He's grown on me. He's fairly effective as a 4th liner. Every now and again he makes a play offensively that stands out. That's really all you can ask of him.

 

[Gardner McKay]

He has been pretty OK.

And you know, I am pretty OK with that.

You don't need a 4th line to go out and be spectacular. A successful team needs consistency out of their 4th line.

On a completely separate note, I am not sure why Carey gets the hate he does. The guy has played hard, chipped in some big goals and appears to be a team player. What more can you want from a 4th liner?

 

[Edge]

And you know, I am pretty OK with that.

You don't need a 4th line to go out and be spectacular. A successful team needs consistency out of their 4th line.

On a completely separate note, I am not sure why Carey gets the hate he does. The guy has played hard, chipped in some big goals and appears to be a team player. What more can you want from a 4th liner?

I really think it's the fantasy factor.

In people's minds, they're more intrigued by Nieves, or Lettieri, or Chytil. They'd rather see those guys and dream of a scenario where those guys blossom before their eyes and become valuable players that are "true Rangers" for years to come.

For them, there's nothing exciting about Carey. There's no real way to over-project him; the odds of him being a long-term Ranger aren't necessarily high; he doesn't project as a sniper, a power forward, a defensive specialist, a two-way threat, etc. etc.

The result is that he often gets overlooked at best, and worst almost draws people ire because they want something they can fantasize about.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I really think it's the fantasy factor.

In people's minds, they're more intrigued by Nieves, or Lettieri, or Chytil. They'd rather see those guys and dream of a scenario where those guys blossom before their eyes and become valuable players that are "true Rangers" for years to come.

For them, there's nothing exciting about Carey. There's no real way to over-project him; the odds of him being a long-term Ranger aren't necessarily high; he doesn't project as a sniper, a power forward, a defensive specialist, a two-way threat, etc. etc.

The result is that he often gets overlooked at best, and worst almost draws people ire because they want something they can fantasize about.

I don't think its that.

We've had Jesper Fast in our top 9 for a lot of the season. You could always move him down to the 4th line where he's actually pretty good, and open up a spot for a top 9 winger. We've had Vesey in the top 9, Desharnais. There is room on the team for another top 9 forward, as long as AV is not messing with the lineup, which he often is.

 

[Edge]

I don't think its that.

We've had Jesper Fast in our top 9 for a lot of the season. You could always move him down to the 4th line where he's actually pretty good, and open up a spot for a top 9 winger. We've had Vesey in the top 9, Desharnais. There is room on the team for another top 9 forward, as long as AV is not messing with the lineup, which he often is.

I'm not sure I follow.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I'm not sure I follow.

I took your post as you are saying that people don't want Carey in the lineup, and he's been overlooked all season as the "AHL guy.", in comparison to those other players you named.

I think he's earned his spot for now, but with the team planning done earlier in the season, Carey probably should've never made the team. It instead should've been Chytil or Lettieri with one of the players who benefited from Carey making the team as a 4th liner, Fast, Vesey, Desharnais, getting lesser roles on the fourth line.

 

[Edge]

Long-term, I think you'll see the likes of Lettieri, Chytil, Nieves and Andersson get the time. Those guys have varying degrees of betters odd to stick around with the Rangers.

I can't say I'm terribly bothered with the time we've given them to cook thus far. There's far more at steak for them long-term, than there is Carey. If Carey is a healthy scratch or doesn't see much ice time, it's not really a lost investment.

Likewise, I'd prefer the other names we mentioned get a lot of ice time, learn to build confidence and overcome diversity and ease into the lineup as they're "cooking" so to speak.

Carey, for me, just doesn't really occupy a lot of my time. He's neither been great or horrible. He's just kind of been there and hasn't looked out of place for his role. Personally, I have no beef with him. But I also can't say I view it as a Carey vs. Chytil/Andersson/Nieves/Lettieri debate.

I'm not really worried about those guys getting their shots when the time is right.

 

[Off Sides]

I think for a 4th liner he has been kind of good. Not that I wouldn't want to see others win his spot but,

I guess to me I'd just keep playing him on the 4th line, see what happens, if he is still decent see if he'd re-sign cheap again. If he turns out to be the 13th or waived because a bunch of prospects win those spots that is also kind of a good thing.

The other advantage, if some prospects win those spots, it's not like he is the type of vet who is going to get preferential treatment from coaching and make the team just because of the, vets must make the team thing.