- Carolina acquired John Carlson’s negotiating rights from Anaheim on Saturday
- The Hurricanes sent prospect Kyle Masters and the No. 192 pick to the Ducks
- Read below for what the rights trade means before July 1 free agency
The Carolina Hurricanes want first crack at John Carlson.
Carolina acquired the negotiating rights to the veteran defenseman from the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday. The Hurricanes sent prospect Kyle Masters and the 192nd pick in the draft to Anaheim to get the deal done.
Both clubs made it official:
Nothing is signed yet. Carlson hits unrestricted free agency on July 1, and the rights trade buys Carolina a few days to talk to him one-on-one before the market opens. If they can’t agree, he walks to free agency like everybody else.
Carlson is coming off a strong year at 36 years old. He racked up 58 points in 68 games this season between Washington and Anaheim, including 14 points in 16 games after the Ducks grabbed him at the deadline.
Anaheim spelled out its return:
A longtime Capital, Carlson spent most of his career in Washington. The Capitals drafted him in 2008, and he grew into one of the best offensive defensemen of his era there, winning the Stanley Cup in 2018. Washington shipped him to Anaheim at this year’s deadline, where he scored his first career hat trick on April 9 against San Jose.
The Hurricanes have plenty going on this offseason. They were already linked to Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski on the trade market, and now they hold a window to add Carlson’s offense to the back end.
The exclusive window runs until July 1. If the Hurricanes can’t get it done, Carlson joins the open market with plenty of suitors waiting.
