After a good performance in 2021-22, Penguins center Jeff Carter was rewarded with a two-year contract extension. However, things didn’t go as well this year as the 38-year-old managed just 29 points in 79 games while having his playing time cut by nearly four minutes a night. However, despite the setback, Carter told reporters, including Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, that he intends to play next season instead of retiring. Even if whoever takes over for GM Ron Hextall doesn’t want to have Carter back, there is no benefit to buying him out as he’s on a 35-plus contract while the veteran also has a full no-move clause.
More from the Metropolitan:
- Still with Pittsburgh, winger Rickard Rakell has declined an invitation to play at the upcoming World Championship, relays Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Twitter link). The 29-year-old had a bounce-back year with 28 goals and 32 assists but is dealing with some minor health issues. Meanwhile, winger Jake Guentzel will suit up for the United States in the event. The 28-year-old was third on the Penguins in scoring this season with 36 goals and 37 assists.
- Capitals center Nic Dowd told reporters including NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti (Twitter link) that he was playing through a couple of injuries and a decision about whether he’ll need surgery will be made within the next couple of weeks. Despite playing through the injuries at the end, the 32-year-old had a career year this season, setting new benchmarks in goals (13) and points (25) despite missing 17 games due to other injuries. Dowd has two years left on his contract with a $1.3MM AAV.
- Although their farm team has been eliminated from playoff contention, the Islanders don’t intend to have a full taxi squad for the playoffs, head coach Lane Lambert told Newsday’s Andrew Gross (Twitter link). Teams often carry extra skaters that can be slotted in if need be in either games or practices while it’s typically beneficial for them to continue to work under the eye of team trainers. For the time being at least, New York will opt to go without a full group of reserves although it wouldn’t be surprising to see a handful of players be brought up as insurance.
Of course Jeff Carter wants to come back and play. But the crazy thing is that he’s gonna get paid no matter what he does.
I imagine he will get a long look to start the season but hope if he isn’t producing he ends up sitting
Plenty of benefit to buying Carter out. $2 MM cap savings next season, $1 MM cap hit the year following. Net gain, especially in giving a roster spot to an entry level salary.
It is a 35+ signing. His cap hit would remain at 3.125M. They would save some actual cash but no cap.
And the complete no movement clause keeps the team from even burying him in the minors or giving a pick to dump him unless he approved