Carolina secures exclusive negotiating rights with the veteran power-play specialist as they look to bolster their defensive core before the free agency market opens.
The Carolina Hurricanes are making a play for a defenseman, trading a sixth round pick for the rights to John Carlson.
The 36-year-old veteran defender has long been one of the league's top offensive blueliners and is coming off of a 14 goal, 60 point season split between the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks.
Carlson was a long time Capital, having spent parts of 17 seasons in DC and winning a Cup there in 2018, before being dealt to the Ducks this past trade deadline, so it would definitely be a bit weird to see him now playing for a different Metropolitan team.
Carlson is an upcoming UFA, but by obtaining his rights, the Hurricanes get the chance to exclusively negotiate with him before free agency opens on July 1.
The Hurricanes are rumored to be shopping rookie blueliner Alexander Nikishin, so a player like Carlson would be able to slot right in to his spot should they trade him and he indeed agrees to terms with Carolina.
The Hurricanes have around $11 million in cap space currently.
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