The Tampa Bay Lightning added veteran right-handed defenseman John Carlson shortly before midnight on the opening day of NHL free agency, giving the team a 36-year-old American who has played 17 NHL seasons. The contract runs for two years and carries an $8.5 million average annual value.
Carlson scored 60 points between the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks last season, tying for 11th among NHL defensemen. He recorded 46 even-strength points, a total topped by only Evan Bouchard, Zach Werenski, Lane Hutson, Rasmus Dahlin and Cale Makar among NHL defensemen.
Carlson chose Tampa Bay
Carlson spoke with Tampa Bay at noon Wednesday before considering his options throughout the day. He called Tampa Bay Lightning general manager and vice president of hockey operations Julien BriseBois late Wednesday night to say he wanted to join the team.
“I know the pedigree of the organization, and certainly the players… Seeing what’s there on display every night has been fun to watch, not play against,” Carlson said. “From that standpoint, I mean, that’s a slam dunk. I think it’s a fabulous place to live, raise kids, have a family, and in a great environment. There’s really zero drawbacks from coming to Tampa.”
BriseBois said Carlson addressed Tampa Bay’s need for a right-shot defenseman and fit the team’s short-term and future roster plans. “He’s a great fit for us,” BriseBois said. “We certainly could use a right-shot defenseman. He’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.”
Productive offensive defenseman
Carlson ranked just outside the NHL’s top 10 in high-danger shots on goal among defenders, while his five goals from distance tied for ninth. His 99.77 mph shot against San Jose on April 9 ranked in the league’s 96th percentile.
Carlson began last season with 10 goals and 46 points in 55 games for Washington before being traded to Anaheim on March 5. He added four goals and 14 points in 16 regular-season games for the Anaheim Ducks, followed by six assists in 12 playoff games.
“Some of it’s learned, some of it’s natural,” Carlson said of continuing to produce into his late 30s. “I’ve obviously played with a lot of good players everywhere since I’ve been in the league, so all those factors make a difference, but I always am a competitor, I want to get better all the time.”
Role on Tampa Bay’s blue line
Carlson joins Erik Cernak and Max Crozier among Tampa Bay’s right-handed defensive options. He could play as high as the Lightning’s top defensive pairing alongside JJ Moser in 2026-27 following Darren Raddysh’s departure.
Carlson has not played fewer than 23 minutes per game since the 2011-12 season. Anaheim traded his rights to the Carolina Hurricanes in June, but the Hurricanes did not agree to a contract with him.
Carlson ranks fifth in NHL history in scoring among U.S.-born defensemen and is 15 points short of 800 career points. He is the Washington Capitals franchise leader among defensemen in games played, goals, assists and points, and he won the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018.
“We’re looking for ways to be better in the short term and beyond… This makes us better in the short term without compromising our ability to go out and address other needs in the future or capitalize on opportunities that might present themselves in the future,” BriseBois said.
Source: Original report