Carter assumed a fourth-line role for the Wild last season, generating 13 points, 77 hits, and 55 PIM across 53 games. With the team parting ways with Matt Cooke earlier this summer, Carter should have an inside track to reclaim a regular spot on the checking line, but it's unlikely to result in a noticeable growth or decline in his production.
Carter will be one of the Devils' grinders again this season after grabbing a scant 15 points in 44 games, in just over 13 minutes per-night. Look for Carter and his linemates, Stephen Gionta and Steve Bernier, to continue to be deployed against the opposition's top lines. Even with increased playing time the trio cannot be expected to produce anything more than meager offensive totals.
Carter found a home with New Jersey after being claimed off waivers from Florida early in the season. A grinding center, Carter posted eight points and 94 penalty minutes in the regular season, but proceeded to score several big goals in the Devils’ run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Expect Carter to fill a checking role for the Devils again this season with a chance at 15-20 points.
Carter has yet to play more than 48 games in a full season. Earlier in the summer, the center was placed on waivers by the Ducks only to have no other team claim him. In 2009-10, he appeared in 38 games and only notched nine points. He is an ideal checking center at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, but he has been either in the press box or the training table. The Ducks are already four deep at center, but Carter can play the wing. However, until he proves himself, his production is hampered by his inability to play a full season.
In his second NHL season, Carter found himself playing anywhere from 1st line center to being benched. Only scoring three goals in 48 games was a big disappointment for both Carter and the Ducks, especially when he had time with the likes of Teamu Selanne, Ryan Getzlaf, and Corey Perry. With the addition of Sakou Koivu, Carter will start the 2009-10 season as no better than a 3rd line center, and he will face fierce competition for that spot as well.
Carter is one of several young players Anaheim inked to a long-term deal in the past 12 months. He didn't get a lot of ice time last season, but showed some potential scoring ability in spurts. He'll likely open the season as the fourth-line center with limited fantasy upside, but he is a guy the Anaheim coaches are optimistic about and is someone to monitor as the season goes on if his ice time increases.
Carter will start the season in the AHL, but is a name to remember in deep keeper leagues after tallying 35 points 39 games (along with 71 PIM) as a sophomore at Minnesota-Mankato in '05-06.
