Sam Carrick, former Edmonton Oiler isn't a stranger to high-pressure games and situations.
He was former teammates with the Stanley Cup contending Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid last season, and the spotlight shone brightly upon them.
His new team, the New York Rangers, finds a lot of similarities between this and last season.
«It's very similar,» Carrick said. «Everyone really cares about each other. There are some big personalities and I think that's what you want. It makes it fun, it makes it fun to come to the rink everyday. You have guys that bring a little jam. Obviously we got a lot of high end skill guys. It's fun to watch them and see what they do and it's fun to learn from them.»
He is now teammates with a lot of well-known and flashy members, such as Artem Panarin, Adam Fox, and Igor Shesterkin.
Carrick's own work ethic will stick out amongst his Rangers peers. He's a scrappy, gritty forward and has a playstyle, the team needs in the playoffs.
«I can bring energy every night, I can be physical when I need to and stand up for teammates,» Carrick said. «I think that in today's game, the fourth line needs to be able to play and needs to be a threat offensively as well. That's what I'm trying to bring here.»
Carrick's playstyle has been noticeable in camp and has shown Peter Laviolette what he can do offensively.
«I mean he is a competitor,» Laviolette said. «I think he looks really good out there, but he is also a guy who plays with an edge and plays with some snarl, has some grit to his game that may not show all the time at practice. When he gets into the game, that will probably be more evident.»
Carrick's familiarity with playing in high-pressure games, such as the Stanley Cup playoffs has only helped his cause in New York. The lessons he took from the loss, can be applied here in New York, and hopefully lead to a Rangers playoff berth.
«I think you learn about the roller coaster,» Carrick said. «Obviously the season is one thing, every season is a bit of a roller coaster. Playoffs are just revamped to a whole nother level. Just because you lose one game, doesn't mean the whole playoff run is over. You gotta focus on every game for what it is and ride the roller coaster.»
The 32-year-old center, signed a 3-year, $3 Million deal, so Rangers fans should get used to hearing his name in the future.