#Caps Re-Sign John Carlson

June 20, 2008. He has not changed.

The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman John Carlson to a six-year, $23.8-million contract that will see the blueliner be paid an average of $3.97 million a year.


In getting Carlson back, the Capitals have essentially locked up their defensive future. Alongside Karl Alzner, Carlson has become one of the NHL's very best shutdown defenseman, and with his offensive talent only likely to show more with increased power-play time and more experience in the league, $3.97 million seems a bargain, in both the long-term and the short-term.

Heading into the 2012-13 season, should there be one, the Caps are fortunate enough to have eight NHL-caliber defenseman, not including prospects Tomas Kundratek and Cam Schilling, who likely could be full-timers, and taking into account John Erskine, Jack Hillen, and Jeff Schultz, two of which are likely to be healthy scratches, unless we see a trade, on the roster. With Karl Alzner, Mike Green, Roman Hamrlik, and Dmitry Orlov joining one of the three above, the Caps look to have a strong top-six with which to defend Braden Holtby or Michal Neuvirth's net.

The news comes just two days after the Caps re-signed Troy Brouwer to a three-year contract. The next priority for the Caps, after ensuring that hockey is played at some point this year, is extending Karl Alzner's contract. Alzner is an RFA next summer.

But for now, we are happy. Welcome back, Johnny. Looks like I can keep wearing my RMNB "Carlzner" shirt.

Jacked.