{"id":207672,"date":"2026-03-06T18:11:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T18:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/207672\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T18:11:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T18:11:08","slug":"john-carlson-was-reportedly-asleep-did-not-know-capitals-had-traded-him-until-the-morning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/207672\/","title":{"rendered":"John Carlson was reportedly asleep, did not know Capitals had traded him until the morning"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Washington Capitals pulled off one of the most significant trades in franchise history, dealing defenseman John Carlson to the Anaheim Ducks<\/a> for a conditional first-round pick in 2026 or 2027 and a third-round pick in 2027. Carlson, arguably the greatest defenseman in Capitals history, played 17 seasons in DC and owns most of the team\u2019s franchise records for defensemen.<\/p>\n

The trade is shocking on its own, but so too is how the club communicated it with their franchise star.<\/p>\n

Carlson\u2019s trade was announced publicly a little after 1 am Eastern Time, and according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman<\/a>, the Capitals alternate captain since 2019-20 was asleep when it happened. The Caps apparently didn\u2019t like how the Nic Dowd trade leaked, so the team handled the Carlson deal differently.<\/p>\n

Friedman writes on X:<\/a><\/p>\n

He was asleep when trade occurred. Earlier in week, Capitals verbally agreed to Nic Dowd deal with Vegas late the night before. Trade call was delayed until next day, but news got out beforehand.<\/p>\n

Caps were upset about that; they didn\u2019t want Carlson to find out that way. They decided on the opposite approach this time\u2026informing Carlson sometime Friday overnight (EDIT: not sure about exact time). We will see what he says today, everyone still recovering from the shock.<\/p>\n

The Athletic\u2019s Pierre LeBrun<\/a> and ESPN\u2019s Emily Kaplan had similar reporting<\/a>. LeBrun said, \u201cthe trade happened so late that John Carlson was asleep and didn\u2019t find out until this morning.\u201d Kaplan added that Carlson knew that Anaheim was one of three or four teams not on his no-trade list who were interested.<\/p>\n

John Carlson was asleep when he got the call. Woke up to the news. He knew Ducks were one of 3-4 interested teams he couldn\u2019t block.<\/p>\n

Too soon if he\u2019d re-sign w\/ Caps. Going through emotions of thinking he\u2019d retire there. Viewing Anaheim as a new opportunity & see where it goes. https:\/\/t.co\/yUHsSPCqeY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) March 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

With the Capitals unlikely to make the playoffs and Carlson an unrestricted free agent at season\u2019s end, trading him for future assets is the right move and also potentially gives the 36-year-old another opportunity to chase a Stanley Cup. But the way the team handled his exit is surprising and John deserved better.<\/p>\n

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