{"id":328030,"date":"2026-07-03T04:00:49","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T04:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/328030\/"},"modified":"2026-07-03T04:00:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T04:00:49","slug":"the-tampa-bay-lightning-made-the-right-choice-in-signing-john-carlson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/328030\/","title":{"rendered":"The Tampa Bay Lightning Made the Right Choice in Signing John Carlson"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed defenseman John Carlson to a two-year contract worth an AAV of $8.5 million. This move comes in the wake of the Lightning losing Darren Raddysh to the Maple Leafs (sign and trade), <\/a>and Tampa’s need for a right-handed defenseman.<\/p>\n

Carlson was traded from Washington — where he had spent his entire career — to Anaheim last year. Carlson\u2019s 60-point campaign placed him in a tie for 11th in defensive scoring. His true impact, however, came at even-strength; with 46 even-strength points, Carlson trailed only an elite five-man tier consisting of Evan Bouchard, Zach Werenski, Lane Hutson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Cale Makar.<\/p>\n

Carlson clearly had a strong season last year and is the Washington Capitals all-time leader in numerous categories, but coming to Tampa, is huge not only for him but for the Bolts.<\/p>\n

Good or bad decision?#GoBolts<\/a> don’t bet on Darren Raddysh long-term after his breakout and prefer to play John Carlson as 1RHD next 2 seasons. At the same $8.5m<\/p>\n

Here are their detailed 5v5 stats. Similar offensive numbers, different defensive ones. Their overall offensive\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/AmZJ9ZGaA1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Benchrates (@benchrates) July 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

For starters, I never thought Raddysh would get $8.5-million dollars from the Bolts, not for 8 years anyway. The 30-year-old ranked 4th on the Bolts with 70 points, breaking Tampa’s single season goal record for defensemen (22) and securing 48 assists. But could that be replicated? and could Tampa commit that much money for that long to a player that only had one year worth the pay? the answer is no. If Raddysh would have taken less years, or a longer contract with less money, he’d probably still be in Tampa.<\/p>\n

Instead, the Tampa Bay Lightning add the veteran John Carlson who is coming off his own strong season. Carlson has been a 50+ point d-man 8 different times in his career, the consistent production, shows what Tampa is getting. Now he gets to play with Brayden Point, Brandon Hagel, Kucherov, and the NHL’s best coach, Jon Cooper.<\/p>\n

Carlson fits the Bolts window, and opens them up money after he empties whatever high level hockey he has left in the tank.<\/p>\n

Carlson will likely play alongside J.J Moser but time will tell.<\/p>\n

John Carlson heading to the @TBLightning<\/a> is a great fit. He is essentially their Raddysh replacement without committing significant term. He continues to be elite offensively. #NHL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/pG0YAAbD2G<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 AFP Analytics (@AFPAnalytics) July 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Julien BriseBoise on the signing:<\/p>\n

\u201cHe’s a good player, can still play on a top pair at the NHL level, can still be on a first power play. With Kuch kind of being the maestro of our power play, you can make an argument that we’re better off having a right shot guy at the point. John Carlson has made a career of being that guy, awesome human being as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

–\u00a0Julien BriseBois<\/p>\n

Just spoke to Julien BriseBois on the Carlson deal. Carlson will be a big part of the #GoBolts<\/a>, could play 20 minutes a night.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe’s a good player, can still play on a top pair at the NHL level, can still be on a first power play. With Kuch kind of being the maestro of our power\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Benjamin Pierce (@BenjaminJReport) July 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Adding a right-handed D-Man who can play on the powerplay was huge for Tampa, especially after losing Darren Raddysh. Tampa’s had a busy start to their offseason, and they’ve gotten better, at least on paper. So as we continue into the offseason, keep an eye on what else Julien BriseBois and the Tampa Bay Lightning have up their sleeve.<\/p>\n