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Carr has linked up with the Capitals on a two-way contract for 2020-21. He's not likely to be much more than organizational depth, as the 29-year-old forward has managed just two goals in 17 games over the last two NHL seasons. He peaked with 16 points in 38 games with the Canadiens in 2017-18, but he's never established himself at the NHL level. Carr is unlikely to unseat Garnet Hathaway for a job on the fourth line -- don't expect him in the lineup unless injuries strike.
Carr, once again, was an effective scorer in limited minutes for the Canadiens last season. Montreal's fourth line received some buzz for its offense, but it wasn't until Carr arrived from AHL Laval did the group get their recognition. It's not clear why he was never given an extended chance with the Canadiens, a team starving for offense, or why they didn't extend him a qualifying offer. Carr produced 0.78 goals per 60 minutes, sixth among the team's regulars, and 2.08 points per 60 minutes, third behind Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk. There's enough talent and hustle there to intrigue Vegas, which signed him to a one-year deal for cheap money. He's the kind of undervalued talent the Golden Knights signed last season and could thrive in the desert heat.
Carr was a bright spot emerging from the detritus of Montreal’s 2015-16 campaign, looking like he could be a useful secondary scorer. He earned his way onto the Opening Night roster last season, but was a healthy scratch in six of the team’s first eight games. With the Habs rolling to the best start in franchise history, there was little need to play Carr. He was chronically on the AHL-NHL shuttle and played just 33 games for Montreal, averaging a mere 10:15 of ice time. At AHL St. John’s, he was somewhat productive in 19 games -- six goals and five assists -- but Carr also dealt with an injury and never was able to establish momentum. The soon-to-be 26-year-old is entering the final year of his deal and will be in a battle to win a spot on the fourth line, which is not conducive to his playing style.
Carr brought his offensive flair from Union College (78 goals, 157 points in 160 games) to AHL stops at Hamilton and St. John’s the last two seasons. That put him on the radar of the decision-makers in Montreal. So, when Brendan Gallagher went down with broken fingers in November, the Habs gave the undrafted free agent a shot. Once head coach Michel Therrien saw that his offense was no fluke, Carr was moved from fourth-line duty onto a line with more skilled performers. Therrien often put him in position to succeed, as 60 percent of his zone starts were in the offensive end and he generated offensive chances, leading the Habs in Corsi For percentage (56.4). Carr scored on 16 percent of his shots, finishing with six goals and nine points in 23 games despite playing a mere 12 minutes per game. A January knee injury wiped out two months before he returned for the final four games. Carr’s versatility – he plays both wings – will aid in his quest for a roster spot. He should provide scoring depth on the third line and could very well force his way into a top-six role.
