With the NHL season now over following the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup title, attention turns to free agency. One player getting a lot of buzz ahead of the offseason is Anaheim Ducks defenseman John Carlson. Carlson is expected to have plenty of suitors in free agency this summer.
The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun feels that one specific team would be a great fit for Carlson.
“The Tampa Bay Lightning, if they lose pending unrestricted free agent Darren Raddysh to free agency,” LeBrun wrote.
There will be competition for Carlson this offseason. During the 2025-26 regular season, he posted 60 points for Anaheim and the Washington Capitals.
“There will be strong interest in the 36-year-old star defenseman. At least four or five teams in the East will be in on him. Carlson had been in talks with the Washington Capitals before the trade deadline in March about a two-year extension worth $9 million per season before the team, fading in the standings, decided to trade him,” LeBrun reports. “My guess is there’s a two-year deal around $10 million per year waiting for Carlson on the July 1 open market, if not more.”
At time of writing, it is believed that Carlson is definitely leaving Anaheim. That is in despite of the fact the Ducks made a run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“I’ve had good discussions with Pat,” Carlson’s agent Rick Curran said. “I told him how much John enjoyed his time in Anaheim. But his preference is to return and play in the East, closer to family and the familiarity with it. Pat was naturally disappointed but completely understood.”
During this season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, Carlson posted six points. The Ducks lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL postseason.
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