I don't blame the fans for booing the Carolina Hurricanes for taking their sweet time when announcing what they were doing with the 192nd pick, the final selection in the sixth round. It had already been a long day for everyone in the arena and watching from home. They'd gone well beyond their allotted three minutes. However, when the dust settled, the result was a bit of a shocker.
The Hurricanes traded the 192nd pick and the RFA signing rights for Kyle Masters to the Anaheim Ducks for John Carlson's UFA signing rights. On the surface, it's a wild move for the Hurricanes to make, especially given how sudden the move was and the list of teams interested in him without a mention of the Carolina Hurricanes. Then again, we probably should've known better.
Carlson was drafted 27th overall by the Washington Capitals in 2008. He played over 1,100 games in D.C., scoring 771 points. At the trade deadline last season, the Capitals stunned everyone by giving Carlson a chance to chase the Stanley Cup with Anaheim. He had 14 points in 16 games to end the season before six points in 12 postseason games as Anaheim was ousted in the second round.
Throughout his career, Carlson has only failed to make the postseason twice, winning the Stanley Cup with Washington in 2018. He's a two-time All-Star and a one-time Norris Trophy finalist, finishing second for the honor in 2020. Carlson has recorded 60 points five times during his career, including an even 60 last season.
There are a ton of layers to this move. For starters, Carlson doesn't have a contract for next season, and this trade didn't come with one already signed. There is no guarantee that he ever plays a game for the Carolina Hurricanes. That being said, there is still some good hockey left in Carlson's game. He'll turn 37 years old shortly after New Year's Day 2027, and he's coming off a very productive year.
Shortly after the trade broke, Elliotte Friedman reported that the initial asking price from Carlson's camp is somewhere around $9 million. That feels like a lot of money. However, for the level of production that Carlson has provided, he might still be worth it. There are a few teams that are foaming at the mouth to get to him if the Canes can't sign him.
There's also a chance that this is a preemptive move before the Hurricanes trade away Alexander Nikishin. Carlson is a right-shot defenseman, whereas Nikishin is a lefty. Both are more than capable of being power play quarterbacks, albeit at very different stages of their careers. I don't think this guarantees that Nikishin is traded, but it certainly moves the needle closer to his exit.
This is a low-risk, high-reward move for Eric Tulsky and the Hurricanes. If Carlson signs, they got him for next to nothing. A sixth-round pick and a player who likely won't get a qualifying offer are a small price to pay for a player of Carlson's caliber. Otherwise, they traded next to nothing for a chance to sign a player that might not play for them. It's a perfectly fine deal.
Add us as a preferred source on Google