John Carlson

36-Year-Old DefensemanD

Carolina Hurricanes

2025 Stats

PP Pts

+/-

PIM

2026 Projections

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2026 Fantasy Outlook

Carlson put forth his best regular-season performance in four years with 60 points over 71 outings between the Ducks and Capitals. A deadline deal to Anaheim signaled Washington's desire to retool. That doesn't mean Carlson is done yet. He's still a reliable scorer from the blue line, having reached double digits in goals nine times in his 17-year career, including three of the last five seasons. Still, fantasy managers should tread cautiously. At age 36, he won't be able to maintain this level of offensive production forever. He could land somewhere less favorable than the Ducks, who are on the rise, in free agency. Carlson should still be able to add solid totals in points and blocked shots, but he's a No. 2 blueliner in fantasy and could see his production slip if he ends up on the second power-play unit regularly in 2026-27. Read Past Outlooks

Overall

Defenseman

Shoots Right

Height 6'3"

DOB 1/10/1990

Born Natick, Massachusetts

Drafted 1st Rd, #27 Overall in 2008

Rights acquired in trade

DCarolina Hurricanes

June 27, 2026

Carolina acquired Carlson from Anaheim on Saturday in exchange for Kyle Masters and pick No. 192 in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

ANALYSIS
Carlson is eligible for unrestricted free agency Wednesday, which doesn't give the Hurricanes much of an exclusive negotiating window. He compiled 14 goals and 60 points in 71 regular-season games between Anaheim and Washington in 2025-26. He also earned six assists in 12 outings for the Ducks during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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2025–26 Time On Ice Stats

Average Time On Ice:
24:11
Average Power Play TOI:
3:19
Average Short-Handed TOI:
1:51

Average Time On Ice:
22:52
Average Power Play TOI:
2:33
Average Short-Handed TOI:
2:28

Ice Time

Power Play

Short-Handed

2023–24

25:54

3:22

2:46

2024–25

23:34

3:00

2:51

2025–26

24:11

3:19

1:51

2025–26

22:52

2:33

2:28

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Past Fantasy Outlooks

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Carlson's days of being a 70-point defenseman are likely done, but he wasn't negatively impacted by the Capitals' acquisition of Jakob Chychrun for 2024-25. Carlson had five goals, 46 assists, 14 power-play points, 131 blocked shots and a plus-17 rating for a club that exceeded expectations to be the top regular-season team in the Eastern Conference. Carlson is entering a contract year in 2025-26, and at 35 years old, his offense could start to diminish. However, 50-point blueliners don't grow on trees, and as long as he stays healthy, that's still within his range of possibilities as a top-four defenseman. The motivation of playing for a new deal should also help keep his offense steady even if the Capitals regress as a team.

Carlson surpassed the 50-point mark for the sixth time in his career in 2023-24, collecting 10 goals and 42 assists in 82 regular-season contests. He found the back of the net on only one occasion through 35 games before turning it on down the stretch to help the Capitals secure a playoff berth. Carlson wrapped up the regular season with nine tallies and 33 points in 47 outings. Despite some hiccups on the man advantage during the year, Carlson finished with a respectable 21 power-play points. He also earned 176 shots on goal, 194 blocked shots and 69 hits. The 34-year-old blueliner offers solid category coverage, and his offensive numbers should improve following Washington's retool in the summer.

A freak injury that saw a shot block fracture his skull took Carlson out from December to March. Prior to his injury, he had 21 points in 30 games, and he added another eight points in 10 outings following his return. The 33-year-old hasn't been known for frequent injuries, and it may be getting him back in the fold full time that helps the Capitals' defense stabilize after a shaky 2022-23. The defenseman should be a 60-70 point player this year thanks to his role quarterbacking the top power-play unit. He can also help in formats that count blocked shots. Carlson could go under the radar due to the missed time, so he's definitely a player to keep an eye on in fantasy drafts.

A high-floor, high-ceiling fantasy option, Carlson has finished with at least 70 points in three of the past four seasons, an unheard of run for a defenseman. Carlson's 17 goals a year ago were a career high, and he's posted at least 25 power-play points in five of the past six seasons. Carlson is getting up there in age as he will turn 33 in January, but he can be considered a lock to remain productive, health permitting, if he's seeing at least 3:59 worth of power-play ice time per game as has been the case three times in the past four years. Carlson should be a legitimate No. 1 fantasy defender in 2022-23.

Carlson, who ranked fifth among NHL defensemen in both points (44) and goals (10) in 2020-21, is firmly entrenched as one of the top fantasy options on the blue line. The 31-year-old has averaged 0.91 points per game over the past four seasons, reaching double digits in goals in each of them (and in five of his last seven). Carlson isn't overly reliant on the power play for his production, either; 29 of his points came at even strength in 2020-21, a total topped only by Florida's MacKenzie Weegar's 31. Carlson should once again be one of the first defensemen off the boards in fantasy drafts in 2021-22.

Carlson was spectacular last season, leading all defensemen with 60 assists and 75 points in 69 games. The 6-foot-3 blueliner added 189 shots on goal, 26 power-play points and 108 hits, firmly establishing himself as one of the premiere fantasy options among defensemen. Looking ahead, virtual managers shouldn't expect Carlson to repeat his nearly record-breaking 2019-20 performance, but double-digit goals and around 70 points over a full season has become the norm for the Massachusets native, and that certainly won't change entering his age-30 season in 2020-21. Carlson should be viewed as a top-three fantasy option at his position during this year's drafts.

Carlson's eight-year, $64 million extension following Washington's Stanley Cup win may have raised a few eyebrows, but Carlson's performance in 2018-19 certainly silenced most of his critics. The 29-year-old compiled 13 goals and reached the 70-point mark for the first time in his career. With a heavy workload and ample power-play minutes on the Capitals' top power-play unit, Carlson very much belongs in the top tier of fantasy defensemen and should be one of the first blueliners chosen on draft day.

Carlson picked the perfect time for his best season as a pro. After leading all defensemen and setting career highs in goals (15), assists (53), and points (68) in 82 games, the 27-year-old took his game to another level in the playoffs with five goals and 20 points in 24 contests. With elite numbers and a Stanley Cup win in hand, Carlson was inked to a gargantuan eight-year, $64 million extension with the Capitals where he will be counted on as a key contributor for years to come. Carlson will continue to log heavy minutes and quarterback an elite power-play which should give him every opportunity to retain his reputation as one of the top defensemen in the league. As such, his fantasy value remains considerable and he should be one of the first blueliners off the board in all formats.

A 55-point man back in 2014-15, Carlson has missed 36 games over the last two seasons and seen his scoring rate drop off even when healthy, making him a curious defender to value for the 2017-18 campaign. We all know his raw ability as a puck-moving defenseman is unmatched by anyone outside the position’s upper tier, and while he doesn't have high-end goal-scoring talent, Carlson still puts a lot of pucks on net and enjoys the company of Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom on the Caps’ power play (not to mention often working with them at even strength). At the tender age of 27, one would imagine that Carlson has plenty of good hockey left in him; he’s also hitting the final season of the six-year contract he signed back in 2012, so he'll be looking to bounce back and earn a big paycheck in free agency.

After his big bust-out two years ago, expectations were high for Carlson last year, and he delivered – when he was on the ice. Those 26 games the Caps’ top defenseman missed to a broken ankle/foot (a “lower-body injury,” if you will) were the only thing that could slow him down, as his points per game actually ticked up slightly over the prior year. That’s thanks in part to a big surge in power-play time that can be attributed in part to the departure of former man-advantage fixture Mike Green. With the injury behind him, a whole offseason to get right and a great gig feeding Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and the Capitals’ other ultra-talented forwards, the 26-year-old can be expected to resume his place among fantasy hockey’s most valuable defenders.

Carlson is a beast; there’s no other way to describe him. His breakout 55 points and 200 hits last season are made all the more impressive by the fact that he and partner Brooks Orpik played the Caps’ toughest minutes. They hopped the boards against the opponent’s best and were more likely to start in the defensive zone than the offensive one. Now that Mike Green has moved to Motown, there will be more offensive-zone starts (and scoring opportunities) to go around. Carlson will get his share of that, and that means 60 points could be within reach. He’s only now entering his prime, and a Norris nomination will come sooner rather later. Jump in with two feet.

Despite bringing in a couple of high-profile defensemen in free agency, Carlson still could be the driving force on the blue line for the Caps. Years of inconsistency and injury to Mike Green opened the door for Carlson last season, and he emerged as a solid fantasy performer. He supplanted Green on the team’s top power-play unit and ended up leading the team’s blue line with 24:30 of ice time per game. The U.S. Olympian could occupy more of a shutdown role in 2014-15 with the arrival of new coach Barry Trotz, but it shouldn’t result in too dramatic off a dip in his offense. Given the competition for minutes, there’s more bust than boom potential for Carlson from a fantasy perspective, but he should still be drafted rather highly among the league’s defensemen.

Carlson will be 23 coming into the 2013-2014 season. He played in all 48 games and earned 22 points on 16 assists and six goals. He was on pace for 40 points in a full season, close to his 37 points back in 2010-2011. Carlson will reward owners in formats that count shots, as he tried 97 last season, and should be a good source for assists.

Carlson was tied for eighth among defenseman in goals scored last season with nine and was tied for 19th in points with 32 among the same group. Carlson is a workhorse as well, playing in 82 games in each of the last two seasons while averaging over 21 minutes last year. Carlson has cracked 30 points in each of his first two full NHL seasons and is expected to further develop. He shouldered the offensive load from the blue line while Mike Green struggled all year and the Caps are hoping for more of the same from their budding American star. Look for goals just shy of 10, assists in the low 20’s, and points in the mid-30s from Carlson this year.

Carlson took our thoughts to heart and made it to the NHL just two years after being drafted. After he helped Team USA defeat Team Canada at the World Juniors, he has become the next best thing to Mike Green in Washington. He is physical and has the partner (Karl Alzner) who can cover for him on the back end when he joins the rush. Carlson inked 37 points in his first year with the Caps and has the potential to put up 60-plus. Consider him as a blue line option on draft day.

Carlson has the size, strength and skating ability, to be a very talented blueliner for years to come in this league. He is very responsible in his own end and plays controlled and smart hockey. Carlson has come into his own and can be a top defensive scorer, already showing flashes last season that he is here for the long haul. He appeared in 22 games (1G,5A,+11) for the Capitals and gained so much trust in the coaching staff and his teammates that he started all seven playoff contests. In those seven contests he posted a goal, three assists, and a plus six rating. That is just invaluable experience going forward. We suggest that he will play a huge role this coming season and can very well become a breakout fantasy producer.

Carlson has the size, strength and skating ability, to be a very talented blueliner. He is very responsible in his own end, who plays controlled and smart. He is great on the penalty kill, and is fast and agile on his skates for a player of his size. Carlson has came into his own as a top defensive scorer showing his ability to be a strong offensive-defenseman. Word is he has given up his commitment to the University of Massachusetts to head north to the OHL and the London Knights. He may not of been as talented as some other defenders in the 2008 draft, but give him 5 or so years and he should be playing in the NHL.

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Puts up pair of helpers

DAnaheim Ducks

April 26, 2026

Carlson logged two assists, including one on the power play, and added two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Sunday's 4-3 overtime win over the Oilers in Game 4.