D-MAN SWAP
Aug 8, 2019
Happy Friday Barracuda fans. When I wrote my last blog, I figured there wouldn’t be much to talk about this week. After all, August is considered one of the quietest months of the year in the hockey world.
But just as things seemed to be calm on the home front, the Sharks made a trade, sending defenseman Kyle Wood to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Trevor Carrick.
Although the Hurricanes will be the fourth NHL franchise that the 23-year-old Wood will be a member of, the trade comes as a bit of a surprise because Wood had just signed a one-year contract back in early July. But Carrick brings several intriguing elements to San Jose that I’m sure the Sharks brass felt where too good to pass up.
First, he’s a winner. Carrick was a crucial piece to the Charlotte Checkers Calder Cup Championship run a season ago. Second, he’s a leader. Carrick has worn a letter for the last three seasons with the Checkers. Third, he’s productive. Carrick has averaged over 40 points from the blueline in three of his last four years, including finishing sixth among AHL d-men in points a season ago and fourth in helpers (38). Fourth, he’s experienced. Carrick has appeared in 347 AHL games and 29 Calder Cup playoff games over his first five pro seasons and easily becomes the second most experienced player on the ‘Cuda roster heading into next season. Last, he’s got NHL games. Carrick has appeared in at least one NHL game in each of the last four seasons.
With blueline depth uncertainty heading into training camp, Carrick, at the very least, gives the Sharks another guy they can trust to play a handful of games with them while filling a pivotal mentorship-role down with their top prospects.
Plus, Carrick is a left-handed shot. Wood was a righty. The Sharks are slightly more right-handed dominant in the pipeline so he fills another role there, too.
Carrick was a restricted free-agent so as soon as the trade went down, the Sharks inked the 25-year-old to a two-year two-way deal.
If the name Carrick sounds familiar, well it is. Trevor is the younger brother of San Diego Gulls forward Sam Carrick which will only enhance the rivalry this upcoming season. Hopefully, he knows a few tricks to slowing down his brother. Sam had six goals and four assists in eight games against the Barracuda a season ago.
Let’s shift gears. Antoine Bibeau and Josef Korenar (Click HERE to take a look at Josef's new mask) revealed their new masks for the upcoming season and both of them look Sharp. Back in the day, goalies seemed to choose one look and stick with it throughout their careers, besides a few alterations. But, nowadays, tendies are getting a new paint job almost every season. First thing I think of when I see these masks is, gosh these artists are good. I also think about the fact that I have zero artistic talent.
If you were waiting for the weekly softball update, there’s a reason it’s at the bottom of this week’s blog. I’m gonna make this one short. For the second straight week, the game was ended prematurely because of the run rule. We fell 20-10 and it could have been much worse. The league has gotten better. Much, much better and right now we’re trying to just get through a full six-inning game. If it keeps up, we’re gonna be sellers at the deadline. Fortunately, everyone makes the playoffs so these are glorified exhibition games but things have got to get better soon.
On a positive note, the highlight of the week was the debut of Barracuda Equipment Manager Mike Murphy. He's a smooth swinging lefty who's gonna hustle for everything out there.
Hopefully next week will come with a more positive report. For now, I say so long and have a great weekend.