NHL Trade: Hurricanes Acquire Rights To Pending UFA John Carlson From Ducks
THE DEFENDING CHAMPIONS CAROLINA HURRICANES HAVE TRADED FOR THE SIGNING RIGHTS TO JOHN CARLSON PER @FriedgeHNIC pic.twitter.com/eP4ImBS007
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 27, 2026
In return, the Ducks receive the 192nd pick and Kyle Masters.
The Washington Capitals sent shockwaves through their locker room (and around hockey) when they dealt the 17-year veteran Carlson to the Ducks at the trade deadline back in March. He had a nice run with Anaheim, but now is anxious to head back east.
The Hurricanes now have four days to complete a contract with Carlson before he hits free agency.
There's no pre-arranged deal in place for John Carlson with Carolina. The Hurricanes just bought an early chance to speak with the pending UFA before the market opens Wednesday.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 27, 2026
Insider Chris Johnston reports that there's no contract in place for Carlson as part of this trade. The Canes "just bought an early chance to speak with the pending UFA before the market opens Wednesday."
Carlson has been one of the better offensive defensemen in the league for more than a decade, and even at the age of 36, provided a huge boost to the Ducks' blueline as they skated into the playoffs for the first time in eight years. He posted 14 points in 16 regular-season games with Anaheim, and another six points in 12 playoff games, logging over 24 minutes of ice time per night.
Masters, who heads to the Ducks as part of the deal, is a 23-year-old defenseman who was a fourth-round pick back in 2021, and has been playing in the ECHL.
