Really hard to say what Carrick's role will be without knowing if the Canes are going to blow up the left side of the current D and potentially trade Hanifin or Fleury (or both). Barring any of our top 3 LDs going out or new NHL LDs coming in, the current pecking order should have Carrick firmly as a top candidate to take on the #7 Dman role as our #4 LD. Jake Bean will eventually (hopefully?) blow by Carrick in terms of the depth chart within a couple of seasons. Carrick was cooked as a top 3 Dman here when Slavin forced his way onto the roster with his play the same season as Hanifin's rookie year. But I would like to think Carrick is good enough to hold down the #7 Dman role. There is a lot of offseason to go before we know what his competition might be for that spot.
As JB stated, even if Carrick ends up being an AHL lifer, he's a pretty good AHL Dman. You need a few of those 'younger AHL vets' around to build an effective AHL roster capable of winning at that level. He's big time for Charlotte, probably one of their most important players. Carrick turns 24 this July, so really if he can't make the roster as a #7 Dman this season he probably never will. That is ok, he's useful deep organizational depth and a good AHL player.