For all of the scorers in the Carolina Hurricanes' lineup, William Carrier is likely on the polar opposite side. Known more for his physical play, he brought his talents to Raleigh last season after spending the past seven years as one of the Original Misfits with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Carrier signed a very weird six-year, $12 million ($2m AAV) deal ahead of last season. The contract featured a full no-movement clause for the first five seasons, with a no-trade clause at the end. For a veteran winger without a history of scoring, it felt like an odd move. Still, he was likely brought in for his willingness to throw his body around. For that, the Canes got their money's worth in Year 1.
Last season: 4-7-11 in 43 games/0-0-0 in 15 games
Making a good first impression, Carrier scored his first point by assisting on the season-opening goal, but the points were few and far between early in the season. He scored his first goal with the team in Vancouver at the end of October. Through 39 games, Carrier had just four goals and nine points.
An injury in early January derailed Carrier's first season in Raleigh. A re-aggravation of an old lower-body injury forced him out of action after January 4th, and surgery followed that would keep him out until mid-April. Carrier returned to post two assists in the team's final four games. He was back just in time for the playoffs, which is why the Canes brought him in.
Carrier didn't record a point in 15 postseason games, the only player on the team to play every game and not find the scoresheet. However, Carrier was hitting just about everything in sight. He finished second to the captain in hits with 63, throwing at least four hits in more than half of the Canes' contests.
Bold Prediction: Carrier finishes in the Top 10 in hits this season
If you've made it this far, you'll notice that I've talked a lot about Carrier as a hitter and not as a scorer. While he missed almost half of the season, Carrier led the team (156) in hits during the regular season, outhitting Andrei Svechnikov in 29 fewer contests. In a normal 82-game season, Carrier would've been on pace for nearly 300 hits.
Hitting at that pace isn't anything new for Carrier. With Vegas in 2018-19, Carrier laid 277 hits in just 54 games. He surpassed 200 again the following season in 71 games. We know Carrier isn't afraid of a little contact, which is why I'm expecting him to do the same thing this season if he's given a chance to.
Despite being locked into a long deal and it being tough to move his contract, Carrier might be in a battle during the preseason for a spot in the lineup. Carrier brings something different to the Canes' lineup, though the lack of scoring could be an issue. He may begin the season as the 13th forward. I think he'll find his way into the Top 12, but he needs to score a little more.