The first official trade of the NHL Trade Deadline day came down the wire just after one o’clock in the morning as the Anaheim Ducks acquired defenceman John Carlson from the Washington Capitals in exchange for two picks – a conditional first-round pick in either 2026 or 2027 and a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
Carlson Adds Experience to Ducks Lineup
Carlson, 36, adds experience and Stanley Cup pedigree to a young core in Anaheim. While he is on the final year of his eight-year deal, carrying a cap hit of $8 million, the veteran has still been productive on the offensive side of the puck for the Capitals this season.
In 55 games played this season, Carlson has 10 goals and 46 points, five shy of what he put up all of last season and right on track with how productive he’s been over his 17-year career. In 1,143 career regular season games for the Capitals, he has 166 goals and 771 points, adding another 78 points in 137 career playoff games.
He was a part of the Stanley Cup winning team in 2017-18, gaining even more experience during that run and while it will be odd for some to see him in a jersey that isn’t the Capitals, what he could bring to the Ducks lineup is immeasurable for the young team.
Capitals Gain Even More Draft Capital By Moving Carlson
On the other side of the trade, the Capitals gain even more wiggle room over the next three drafts. The first-round pick they acquire in the deal will be chosen by the Ducks – either a 2026 or 2027 selection. While they also land a 2027 third-round pick. The acquisitions in the deal actually give the Capitals 22 picks in the next three drafts – including four first-round picks and nine in the first three rounds.
Related: Golden Knights Acquire Nic Dowd From Capitals for Third, Second, and Jesper Vikman
This kind of stock will allow the team to either make some big moves using the picks as potential assets. Otherwise, the Capitals are sitting in a good spot with so many high-end selections in the next three drafts that will only further build up their prospect pipeline.
Since the 2000 NHL Draft, the Capitals have had five first-round picks and 17 in the first three rounds. Of those picks, only four have played NHL games. With that in mind, this will be a good opportunity for the Capitals to create even more depth and competition within their organization – at the cost of moving a long-time Capital.
