Capitals re-sign Carlson to $64M, 8-year deal
The Washington Capitals have re-signed John Carlson to a $64 million, eight-year contract that allows the Stanley Cup champions to keep the do-it-all defenceman.
Carlson will count $8 million against the salary cap through the 2026-27 season. General manager Brian MacLellan announced the deal Sunday.
“John has been an exceptional and consistent player for our franchise and has blossomed into being one of the top defencemen in the NHL,” MacLellan said. “Defenceman like John are a rare commodity in our League and, at 28 years of age, we feel he is just entering his prime. As a right-handed defenceman, John plays in all key situations and has contributed greatly to our team’s success on the special teams. We are pleased for both parties to have come to an agreement.”
That’s not necessary for the 28-year-old who has made the Washington area his home and wanted to stay if there was a fit. The Capitals got the cap space necessary to re-sign Carlson by trading veteran defenceman Brooks Orpik and backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer on Friday night at the NHL draft.