5 NHL Free-Agency Landing Spots for John Carlson After Ducks' Elimination

The Anaheim Ducks were eliminated from postseason contention on Thursday and will have questions to answer on their blue line.

The Ducks acquired John Carlson just before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, paying a hefty price for the 36-year-old defenseman, sending a 2026 first-round and third-round pick to the Capitals.

But Carlson is a pending unrestricted free agent. With a combined 60 points in 71 games with Washington and Anaheim, the 2018 Stanley Cup winner will be one of the top free-agent defensemen on the market.

Here now are five potential landing spots for him in free agency.

Anaheim Ducks

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This would seem the easiest route for both the team and the player.

The Ducks are flush with cap room with over $40 million and, despite their playoff exit, look to be on the rise in the Pacific Division.

Carlson's numbers in the regular season were solid after coming over in a trade at this year's Trade Deadline: 14 points in 16 games with a strong 58.23 Corsi percentage according to Natural Stat Trick.

With Anaheim finally back in contention, a reunion between player and club would seem like an ideal fit.

Edmonton Oilers

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We get it. The Oilers aren't flush with cap space compared to other teams —$16 million—and bringing in Carlson might be a stretch.

But in case you've been living under a rock the past few seasons, you'll know they desperately need help on the blue line.

Evan Bouchard is the undoubted No. 1 defenseman on the team and would take minutes away from Carlson on the top power-play unit as a fellow right-handed defenseman. Nevertheless, Oilers general manager Stan Bowman is under pressure to make sure he delivers a winner and improving the defensive pairings will be one of his main objectives this offseason.

With Connor McDavid edging closer to free agency, Bowman could do worse than proving to his generational superstar that he means business by signing Carlson.

Chicago Blackhawks

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Connor Bedard nd John Carlson while with the Capitals

Chicago is another team that needs to take the next step in its progression. Why not spend money on a veteran defenseman who could improve the blue line immediately?

The Blackhawks have over $40 million in cap space, so money shouldn't be an issue for general manager Kyle Davidson. With a youthful defensive unit, Davidson will need to provide a steady hand to help the progression of players like Artyom Levshunov and Alex Vlasic.

And hey, playing with Connor Bedard sounds like a fun time in an Original Six market.

San Jose Sharks

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If Anaheim isn't to Carlson's liking, what about staying in-state and moving up north to San Jose?

There's no question the Sharks are a team on the rise, led by Macklin Celebrini and could definitely use another defenseman to steady the blue line. San Jose has over $41 million in cap space and adding Carlson to the team without giving up any prized prospect must be an attractive option for general manager Mike Grier.

For Carlson, the idea of joining a team in the ascendancy would be appealing, especially if he thinks San Jose's future could be even brighter than the Ducks.

Washington Capitals

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Who says you can't go home again?

The Capitals made the hard decision to trade Carlson at the trade deadline and acquired a 2026 first-round and third-round pick as part of the deal.

But unless Anaheim signs Carlson to an extension before free agency, there's nothing stopping the Capitals from bringing the 36-year-old defenseman back. A 2018 Stanley Cup Winner, Carlson is still beloved for his time in our nation's capital, and plenty of fans in the District wouldn't mind him returning.

Washington has over $36 million in cap space and could easily slot Carlson back in one of its top pairings. And, with Alex Ovechkin's NHL career still in doubt, it may behoove the Caps to bring back a veteran for their rebuilding squad.

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