Expectations are never high for seventh round picks. After all, they’re seventh round picks for a good reason. They’re usually guys you take flyers on and hope they can progress to being somewhat of an NHL player. Not a regular top sixer, and maybe not even a regular bottom sixer, but a guy who can perhaps provide handy depth should there be an injury crisis or underperforming regulars.
Austin Carroll falls in line with that trajectory. He was selected by the Flames for his size, scoring, and work ethic although he was an overager as a 20-year-old in the WHL.