The end of an era in DC: the Capitals have traded defenseman John Carlson to Anaheim in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick a conditional first-round pick in either 2026 or 2027.
The conditions of the latter pick state that if Anaheim makes the playoffs, their 2026 pick comes to DC, and if they miss the playoffs, they can choose which pick to send – and have until the pick before theirs in this year’s Draft to decide.
Carlson, 36, has 10 goals and 36 assists, with a plus-11 rating, in 55 games this season, his assist total leading the Caps, and he is 11th among NHL defensemen in points.
The former 2008 first-round pick has 771 career points and a plus-114 rating in his 17 seasons with the Caps (1,143 games), and leaves as the franchise’s all-time leader among defensemen in goals, assists, points, power play points, and games played, and is second in games played overall for the franchise.
“John Carlson brings leadership, character, a high hockey IQ and a presence to our lineup,” said Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek in the team’s release announcing the move. “We are very excited to add a Stanley Cup winner to complement our group and make a big push down the stretch.”