The Ducks took a big swing at the trade deadline for the first time in more than a decade when they acquired defenseman John Carlson, but it turns out that their investment of two draft picks netted them only a rental of his services.
Carlson’s agent Rick Curran told The Athletic on Tuesday that his client will not compete for the Ducks next season, instead seeking to return to the East Coast. Carlson was born in Massachusetts, raised in New Jersey and spent the better part of 17 seasons in Washington, where he won a Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018.
“I’ve had good discussions with (Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek),” Curran told Pierre LeBrun. “I told him how much John enjoyed his time in Anaheim. But his preference is to return and play in the East, closer to family and the familiarity with it. Pat was naturally disappointed but completely understood.”
Carlson, 36, made $8 million against the salary cap last season and reportedly passed on a slight raise from the Capitals ahead of the trade deadline. In a thin market across the board but particularly on defense, the unrestricted free agent could push toward an eight-figure salary.
His Ducks debut was delayed by a lower-body injury after being acquired on the eve of the trade deadline, but once he got into their lineup he was prolific with 14 points in 16 games, tying him for second on the team during that span.
The Ducks’ first postseason dance in eight years was the primary reason they acquired the decorated blue-liner, and in Round 1 he delivered five points in six games, including a pair on the power play. But after eliminating the Edmonton Oilers, he lost steam seemingly by the shift in Round 2. He registered just one point against the Vegas Golden Knights en route to a -4 rating that included some untimely miscues and plenty of lost puck battles in the six-game series.
The Ducks have decisions to make all over their defense corps even with Carlson’s situation apparently settled.
Fellow right blue-liners Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas, key parts of the Ducks’ leadership group, are also unrestricted free agents. Left defensemen Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger and Tyson Hinds are restricted free agents after splitting time during the latter part of last season with two spots for three players behind Jackson LaCombe.
Prospect Tristan Luneau, a right D, has arrived at an impasse where it’s likely time to call him up full-time after two stellar seasons in the minors. Luneau, 22, played just one game for the parent club last season after skating in seven and six, respectively, in the two prior campaigns. Drew Helleson and Ian Moore also saw time on the right side for the Ducks.
One of Luneau’s teammates with the San Diego Gulls, prospect goalie Calle Clang, will join Carlson among the players not returning to the Ducks organization next year.
Clang signed a two-year contract over the weekend to return to his native Sweden and man the goal of Rögle BK of the Swedish Hockey League, the top pro circuit in Sweden.
He came through their junior system before being selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third round of the 2020 draft. He was acquired in the Rickard Rakell deal during the busy 2022 trade deadline and played 104 games for San Diego.