The Washington Capitals got their offseason wish.
On Sunday night, the team managed to extend its top blue-liner John Carlson to the tune of an eight-year $64 million contract. Carlson is coming off of a six year contract that had an AAV of $3,966,667 million.
It’s hard to argue with Carlson’s new cap number. The 28-year-old was a monster on the back end for Washington, posting 68 points and leading the team to its first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Still, some hockey fans aren’t convinced that he’s worthy of his new deal. The internet was full of mixed emotions after the news leaked.
The deal wouldn’t have been made possible had it not been for some sly moves that were made by the Caps’ front office ahead of the draft. Washington was able to clear some cap space after trading veteran defenceman Brooks Orpik’s $5.5 million cap number along with goaltender Philipp Grubauer to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2018 2nd round pick.
Some Caps might be salty now, but that will all change if Carlson can lead the franchise to a second consecutive Stanley Cup.
Thoughts on the deal?
