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yesterday

Capitals Have Not Opened Extension Talks With John Carlson

The club signals a wait-and-see approach as it weighs a younger defense corps.

Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period at Capital One Arena.

Overview

  • ESPN reported the veteran has not been contacted about a new deal, with John Carlson saying he would love security but is not thinking about it now.
  • Carlson enters the final year of his eight-year, $8 million AAV contract and will turn 36 during the 2025–26 season, his 17th with Washington.
  • He is slated for top-pair minutes alongside Jakob Chychrun and is expected to remain on the Capitals’ first power-play and top penalty-kill units.
  • Since returning from missing half of 2022–23, he has 15 goals and 103 points in 161 games with heavy usage and 325 blocked shots, and he posted strong five-on-five results last season.
  • General manager Chris Patrick previously framed the roster as transitioning younger, the team has recently extended other defensemen in-season, and outside projections peg a possible Carlson deal around three years at roughly $6.9 million per year with significant cap space forecast for next summer.