Sabres Center Sam Carrick Suffers Left Arm Injury in Fight

Carrick was injured while trading punches with Islanders captain Anders Lee.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:23am

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Buffalo Sabres center Sam Carrick left Tuesday night's game against the New York Islanders with a left arm injury after getting into a fight with Islanders captain Anders Lee. Carrick needed assistance leaving the ice after suffering the injury while trading punches with Lee.

Why it matters

Carrick had been a productive player for the Sabres, scoring five goals with one assist in his first 12 games with the team. His injury is a setback for the Sabres as they push for a playoff spot.

The details

The fight occurred right off the faceoff to start the third period. While Carrick threw punches with his right hand, his left arm was tied up in Lee's jersey at an awkward angle. As Carrick spun and was taken down to the ice, he landed hard and remained down in obvious pain before leaving for the locker room.

  • The incident occurred during the third period of Tuesday night's game.
  • Carrick was traded to the Sabres from the New York Rangers on March 6, 2026.

The players

Sam Carrick

A 34-year-old center for the Buffalo Sabres who was acquired in a trade from the New York Rangers earlier this season.

Anders Lee

The captain of the New York Islanders, who got into the fight with Carrick.

Lindy Ruff

The head coach of the Buffalo Sabres, who confirmed Carrick's injury after the game.

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What they’re saying

“It'll be evaluated and we'll see tomorrow exactly what that is.”

— Lindy Ruff, Buffalo Sabres Head Coach

What’s next

The Sabres will evaluate Carrick's injury on Wednesday and provide an update on the severity and expected recovery timeline.

The takeaway

Carrick's injury is a setback for the Sabres as they push for a playoff spot, but the team will need to wait for further evaluation to determine the extent of the damage and how long he may be sidelined.