John Carlson signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday. It has an average annual value of $8.5 million.
The 36-year-old defenseman had 60 points (14 goals, 46 assists) in 71 regular-season games for the Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals last season, including 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 16 games after he was acquired in a trade with Washington on March 5.
He had six assists in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"I’ve been super lucky to play with world-class Hall of Fame hockey players," Carlson said Thursday, "and I just can’t wait to see this group of them and learn from them every day and see them up close and personal.
"I know the pedigree of the organization and certainly the players, from guys that have been through there, behind the scenes and all that, and also playing against them for so many years and seeing just what’s there on display every night has been fun to watch and not play against.
"From that standpoint that’s a slam dunk. I think it’s a fabulous place to live, raise kids and have a family in a great environment. There’s really zero drawback to coming to Tampa."
On Saturday, Carlson had his rights acquired by the Carolina Hurricanes in a trade with the Ducks.
The Hurricanes had exclusive rights to negotiate with Carlson prior to him becoming an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, but were unable to agree on a contract.
Selected by Washington with the No. 27 pick in the 2008 NHL Draft, Carlson has 785 points (170 goals, 615 assists) in 1,159 regular-season games for the Capitals and Ducks and ranks fifth in points among active defensemen.
He has 84 points (21 goals, 63 assists) in 149 playoff games and won the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018.
Carlson said he believes there are several factors leading to his longevity as he prepares for his 18th NHL season.
"I think some of it’s learned, some of it’s natural," he said. "I’ve obviously played with a lot of good players since I’ve been in the League. All those factors make a difference.
"I’m a competitor, I want to get better all the time, I want to find ways to improve and certainly with how great the League is right now, how great these players are, and they’re only getting better, you just have to keep being a student of the game and keep finding ways, keep finding niches to better yourself, and I think that’s what I’ve set my mind to doing, especially the last couple of years."
NHL.com staff writer Derek Van Diest contributed to this report
