NHL rumors: The contract John Carlson was discussing with Capitals before Ducks trade

NHL rumors: The contract John Carlson was discussing with Capitals before Ducks trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

As the NHL season has come to an end for most teams, the focus for their front offices is on the offseason. That includes getting extensions done for players who are in need of them. One of the players who requires a new contract is John Carlson. One of the most surprising trades at the NHL trade deadline was the moving of Carlson from the Washington Capitals to the Anaheim Ducks.

As Carlson hits the open market, there is now a report of the contract he is looking for, based on his talks with the Capitals, per Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.

“Carlson had been in talks with the Washington Capitals before they moved him at the trade deadline in March about a two-year extension worth $9 million per season,” LeBrun wrote. “I doubt very much Carlson signs for less than two years and $9 million per year, regardless of whether that’s in Anaheim or on the open market.”

It would be a slight raise for the 36-year-old blueliner. He just finished an eight-year extension he signed with the Capitals in 2018, and paid an $8 million AAV. Still, based on the percentage of the salary cap, $9 million would not be as much as he signed for the last time. The Ducks are projected to have $44.2 million in cap space this summer, but they also have plenty of people who need new contracts.

While Jackson LaCombe starts his new deal, which will pay him an AAV of $9 million, Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas are also unrestricted free agents on the blueline. Meanwhile, Ian Moore, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger are all restricted free agents. Further, forwards Cutter Gauither and Leo Carlsson both need a contract as well. Re-signing many of those players would put them in a tight salary cap situation, but there are still talks going on.

“The Ducks have spoken with Carlson’s camp, led by veteran agent Rick Curran, and communicated a desire to start negotiations on a new contract. Carlson is open to having those talks but needs a bit more time to mull over what he wants to do as July 1 approaches,” LeBrun reported.

While Carlson is not a sure thing to return to the Ducks, there will be multiple teams interested in his services. He could even make a reunion with the Capitals, should Alex Ovechkin decide to return.

Tags: