Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Washington Capitals have a pair of franchise legends heading into unrestricted free agency. There’s been a lot of speculation about Alex Ovechkin’s playing future after this season, but there hasn’t been as much regarding defenseman John Carlson.
Earlier today, Greg Wyshynski of ESPN provided the first meaningful update to the extension negotiations between the Capitals and Carlson, or lack thereof. Wyshynski reported that Carlson hasn’t been contacted yet regarding an extension, and quoted Carlson saying, “I think anybody would probably love security. I think that’s a normal thought to have. But I’m not thinking about it.”
It’s been a few years since Carlson was a consistent contender for the Norris Trophy voting. He remains a valuable offensive defenseman, although his defensive skills have slightly declined in recent years.
Since missing half of the 2022-23 season due to injury, Carlson has scored 15 goals and 103 points in 161 games with the Capitals from 2023 to 2025, averaging 24:45 of ice time per game. He’s continuing to block shots, as evidenced by his 325 total over that stretch.
Last season, Carlson achieved a career-high CorsiFor% at even strength with a mark of 53.6%, following a season in which he matched a career low of 47.0%. Although that’s a dramatic increase, it’s important to remember how much better Washington performed last season compared to the 2023-24 season. His on-ice save percentage at even strength has steadily declined since the 2017-18 season, nearly reaching a career-low last season with an 88.7%.
If Carlson wants to remain with the Capitals beyond this season, there shouldn’t be much hesitation from the organization. Washington had multiple defensemen poised for free agency this summer, but signed each one to an extension during last year’s regular season.
There’s no word if Carlson is unwilling to engage in extension negotiations throughout the regular season, though there shouldn’t be too much to work through. The 2025-26 campaign will be Carlson’s 17th with the Capitals, and a new deal would only be his fourth with the team.
Carlson is nearly 36, And he’s approaching 1100 career games, Why would their be any extension discussion?
Because he’s a franchise icon and that’s what the Caps do; take care of their own, even if it is to the detriment of the win/loss record. FWIW, I’d rather give JC74 another year than hand the reigns over to Iorio or Chesley. While it’s probably time to examine the potential of someone else QB’ing the PP1, I don’t think you’ll see that change until Hutson debuts.
But Carlson has already been compensated for his past employment, So, You are suggesting they pay him twice, And let’s not forget, That each and every player is an independent contractor, And when their usefulness begins to deteriorate, Then they are no longer assets, That’s the nature of the business,
And BTW, What security is John Carlson talking about? He’s been in the league for 16 years, I’m guessing he has amassed quite a fortune, Bottom line, Carlson has been a fantastic player, For a really long time, Probably a future HOF, But now it’s coming to an end, Why throw money, And term at a guy, At this point in his career just because you like him.
I’m not saying that Carlson should get an eight million dollar extension per year, and I think that he’s humble enough to know that his game isn’t what it was at its peak. Half of that, though??? Sign me up. His defensive game has definitely become polarizing over the last couple of years, but he’s still a locker room leader and wears the ‘A’ for a reason. He’s more of an asset than a liability, in my opinion. We don’t have to agree on it, but mark my words, he’ll never wear a jersey other than the Caps.
There are a half dozen teams that would love to have John Carlson at $5 M per year in a rising cap as the 4th D/ RHD/ 2nd unit PP. He is still playing over 17:30 per game . 36 year old Carlson is still better than a ton of the RHD out there.
Agreed