John Carlson is currently playing in the final season of the eight-year, $64 million contract he signed with the Washington Capitals in 2018. The 36-year-old defender has spent his entire career with the Caps, and it doesn’t appear like that’s going to change heading into next year.
Caps general manager Chris Patrick met with the media on Friday to discuss a variety of topics, including Carlson’s future with the club. After Carlson revealed in September that he had not yet had contract extension talks with the team, Patrick updated that those discussions have now begun.
“Yeah, we’ve talked, and I’ve talked with his agent as well,” Patrick said. “We’ll continue to have conversations here.”
The news comes after Carlson recently cleared up any talk of him retiring after the 2025-26 campaign, telling Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman that there was “no chance” of that occurring. Carlson is still an effective and productive NHL defenseman, again leading the Capitals in scoring from the backend with 38 points (9g, 29a) in 45 games.
With Carlson on the ice at five-on-five this season, the Capitals have seen 53.8 percent of shot attempts, 51.7 percent of expected goals, 51.5 percent of scoring chances, and 50.7 percent of high-danger chances. His overall role with the team has slightly diminished, particularly with Jakob Chychrun taking over his first power-play unit responsibilities. Carlson is skating 41 seconds less of average ice time per game this season (22:53) compared to last (23:34).
Carlson is also an essential part of the club’s leadership group, this year serving as an alternate captain for a seventh season.
Additionally, he is the Capitals’ all-time leader among defensemen in games played (1,133), goals (165), assists (598), and points (763). He recently passed franchise legend Nicklas Backstrom for second on the Caps’ all-time games list.
According to @AFPAnalytics, a Carlson extension is expected to cost approximately $6.9 million for three years. Per PuckPedia, the Capitals are currently projected to have $35.6 million in cap space next offseason.
The Capitals have heavily invested in their defense in recent seasons, inking Chychrun, Matt Roy, Rasmus Sandin, and Martin Fehervary to long-term deals that keep each player signed through at least the 2028-29 campaign. The club also has promising prospects on the backend, like Cole Hutson, Ryan Chesley, Leon Muggli, David Gucciardi, and Cam Allen.
Carlson and the Capitals will have until July 1 to come to an agreement before the veteran blueliner hits unrestricted free agency.