It's fitting that, 10 years later and after 85 career goals with the Capitals, Carlson will be competing in the SAP NHL Hardest Shot competition during his first All-Star weekend in San Jose.
"[An All-Star selection is] not one of those things you think about all the time, but when you get honored it's important," Carlson said. "It means a lot to me and my family. It'll be fun to go out there with [fellow All-Star Braden Holtby] and represent the Caps."
Carlson was selected as a participant on Jan. 2, but the news about the SAP NHL Skills competition came in early Wednesday. Tomorrow at 9 p.m. ET, he'll join three other players in shooting two pucks in two rounds two rounds, centered 30 feet from the net.
It's an event that has some familiarity to the Capitals. During last year's All-Star Skills competition in Tampa Bay, Alex Ovechkin won the event after firing a 101.3 mph shot. He became the first forward to win the Hardest Shot contest since Sergei Fedorov, who won it as a member of the Detroit Red Wings in 2002.
But Carlson's invite is ultimately more significant than the competition. A participation nod is earned through overall success, not just a unique talent. And it's taken more than brute power for the Capitals blue-liner to develop into one of the NHL's most prolific defenseman.
Ask head coach Todd Reirden why Carlson is so effective moving the puck through the offensive zone, and he'll note vision and hockey IQ.
"A lot of guys can shoot the puck hard," Reirden said. "But they never seem to get their shot in play. That's not John … He's worked hard over the years to refine his game, in all areas. One is his offensive zone play - whether that's creating shot lanes, making reads, finding lanes and then utilizing his shot. He's continued to develop as we hoped, being able to push his offensive numbers higher while still playing solid on defense."
Carlson's surging toward another career year, following his breakout season in 2017-18 when he notched 68 points (15g, 53a) - the most in the League among defensemen - then powered Washington's defense with 20 more points (5g, 15a) in the run to a Stanley Cup. The memorable summer carried over into the fall.
Through the first half of the 2018-19 season, Carlson ranks fourth in the NHL in points among defensemen, with 46 (8g, 38a). He's skated an average 25:20 a night, the third most in the league for any player who's played at least 45 games. And he's accounted for five points (2g, 3a) amid the Capitals current 0-4-2 skid, remaining in playoff form even as his team tries to regain its consistency.
Along the way Carlson's cementing his name in the franchise record books. He's on pace for 77 points this season, which would be the most by a Capitals defenseman since Kevin Hatcher's 79 points (34g, 45a) in the 1992-93 season and the third highest point total by a defenseman in franchise history.
Asked about personal success, Carlson will deflect credit onto those around him. "When you have good teams, there are better opportunities to do good things," he said. "I just try to chip in when I can." But those around him aren't reluctant to praise the dependable All-Star. He's earned it.
"His presence is there every night," Tom Wilson said. "Carly is a leader on this team. He's a superstar, plays a ton of minutes each night, a lot of expectations, and he goes out and gets the job done."
