ANAHEIM, Calif. — Back in the day — meaning 23 years ago — the then-Mighty Ducks of Anaheim under general manager Bryan Murray acquired forwards Steve Thomas and Rob Niedermayer at the NHL trade deadline after adding sweet-skating, puck-moving defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh.

Those three became pivotal pieces in what became the Ducks’ rollicking, magical run to Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Final. To this day, it’s still spellbinding that they were one win away from hoisting the silver chalice. The Cup would be theirs just four years later, thanks to a perfect combination of skill and brawn led by Niedermayer and his superstar brother, Scott Niedermayer.

But with all due respect to the contributions of Thomas, Niedermayer and Ozolinsh, the Anaheim Ducks have never made a trade deadline addition like Thursday’s, with their late-night stunner to grab defenseman John Carlson from the Washington Capitals.

Think about it: The Ducks, with a need to improve their defense corps as they aim for the Pacific Division title, went out and got a three-time top-five Norris Trophy finisher and one of the finest blueliners of this era. The best defenseman in Capitals’ history not named Rod Langway. And one who can still contribute to winning and, in Carlson’s words, has a lot left in the tank.

A slew of right-shot defensemen changed teams ahead of the trade deadline, and the Ducks traded for arguably the best one available.

“There’s a lot of excitement,” Ducks winger Ross Johnston said in the middle of a lively Anaheim dressing room Friday at Honda Center. “There’s been a lot of doomy trade deadline days around here, and today’s not one of them. You add a legend in John Carlson whose resume speaks for (itself).

Johnston added, “It obviously shows the commitment the organization has in us. That comes with a heavy responsibility that we’re all looking forward to now.”

It’s too early to call Carlson the best deadline addition in franchise history because there are still six weeks left in the regular season and a postseason berth to clinch before the Ducks hope to play their first Game 1 in eight years. But it’s safe to call Carlson the biggest addition. And after a 6-5 shootout win Friday night over the Montreal Canadiens, which put Anaheim one point ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights for first place in the Pacific Division, it’s tantalizing to imagine what this team can be with him.

Carlson, who was in his seventeenth season with Washington before the trade, hoped to be a one-franchise player throughout his career. Now, the 36-year-old is looking to embrace a new chapter.

“It’s tough to say after the fact, but for sure, if you asked me a couple of days ago, I would say that was always a goal of mine,” Carlson said Friday before flying to Southern California. “That was always what I had anticipated or strived to be — that person in the community and on the ice — and it didn’t work out like that. Yeah, I move on, and I’m excited for this opportunity.

“Excited to get out of my comfort zone, too, and get to a new organization. Meet a lot of new faces. Mesh with a lot of new players. I think that’s a challenge that’s very appealing to me.”

When the Ducks take the ice Sunday against the St. Louis Blues, Carlson will play his first game in a different jersey since making his debut with Washington in 2009. He owns nearly every notable record for a defenseman in Capitals history: goals (166), assists (605), points (771) and games (1,143). And with his crucial role in Washington’s 2018 Stanley Cup victory, Carlson’s No. 74 should one day hang in Capital One Arena.

He will now wear that No. 74 jersey in Anaheim, after rookie Ian Moore quickly relinquished it and changed to No. 3. As Carlson’s longtime teammates Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson lamented the loss of their beloved blueliner Friday, Carlson started to envision playing for the up-and-coming Ducks. The prospect of joining a young core led by Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Jackson LaCombe, Mason McTavish and impressive rookie Beckett Sennecke can ease the shock of the sudden change in scenery.

“That’s a very interesting and cool kind of angle from this whole thing,” Carlson said. “I think I add a lot of valuables in my play and what I can do out there, but also what I can inject and impart on them mentally or through talking and chatting. There’s so much talent there. There’s so much fun to be had that it’s an exciting proposition.

“I think these guys, especially now with how skilled they are — they’re top, top, elite players that I’m coming to play with. I’m going to be learning from them, just like I hope that they’ll be learning from me.”

The Ducks surrendered a conditional first-round pick in the trade that will go to Washington in 2026 or 2027. Per the terms of the deal, if Anaheim misses the playoffs this season, the Ducks can keep either the ’26 or ’27 pick, and the Capitals will get the other one. If the Ducks make the postseason, which appears likely, then they must hand over the 2026 pick. Anaheim also sent a 2027 third-round pick to the Capitals.

Some questioned the rationale behind giving up a first-round pick when the Ducks have only started to emerge from their rebuilding period, especially with Carlson in the final season of an eight-year, $80 million contract. That’s a hefty price for what could turn out to be a rental if Carlson enters free agency after the season and signs with another team.

Although Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek isn’t expected to press Carlson and his representation on an extension, Verbeek has expressed interest in keeping Carlson beyond this season. It’s also rare that a defenseman as accomplished as Carlson is available at the deadline. The kind of veteran who’s averaging nearly 23 minutes and has 10 goals and 36 assists in 55 games this season, even at this stage of his career.

“First of all, you look at the player that you’re putting into the group,” Verbeek said. “It’s a big add. A big add. He’s a heck of a hockey player. They don’t come along often. What we’ve been doing the last three years with adding assets, … I thought this was a time where we could — I looked at giving this group another extra push. Another little aid in helping us make this push to where we want to go.

“Ultimately, getting in the playoffs and have a nice run — I looked at it like it’s worth it. It’s worth it to give this group experience. Give them a chance to make the playoffs and do well in the playoffs.”

Meanwhile, the prospect of improving the defense — a need that was apparent again Friday, despite the thrilling win — by adding a player as good as Carlson had players in the Ducks’ dressing room sounding as if they could hardly believe their good fortune.

“It’s going to be a huge addition for us,” said Chris Kreider, who had the tying goal late in regulation along with three assists. “The pedigree that he has. The experience that he has. Can definitely bring a lot to the room. A lot to our group on the ice as well. We’re excited to get him in the fold.”

Added defenseman Jacob Trouba: “I guess hockey’s always evolving and changing on how (the) deadline’s going. I don’t know. Found a way to get him. He’s a big piece. Pretty much every team in the NHL would probably like to have him on the back end. We’re excited to add him. Excited to move forward with him.”

It is the first time in years that the Ducks have been buyers at the deadline, and they made a headline-grabbing purchase aimed at accomplishing more than just reaching the playoffs.

“There’s a lot of great teams in the West right now, and anytime you go out and give what we give for a player like that, I think it shows the faith that we can compete,” Johnston said. “Not just make it there — make a splash when we get there. We all watch the standings. We know what’s going around. We’ve played every team in the league now, and we got a good feel where we’re at and what the potential is for this group.

“The jolt’s there, and the pieces are there, and now it’s up to us to do it.”