The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed defenseman John Carlson to a two-year contract worth an AAV of $8.5 million, the team announced Wednesday.
Carlson has played in 1,159 career NHL games with the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks, recording 170 goals and 785 points.
TAMPA, Fla. — Wake up, we have some news 👀
We've signed defenseman John Carlson to a two-year contract worth an AAV of $8.5 million.
đź“ť https://t.co/oOIXsHSqRQ pic.twitter.com/Sw4pNfkrUF
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) July 2, 2026
Carlson has spent most of his career with the Capitals, where he is the franchise’s all-time leader among defensemen for games played, goals, assists, and points.
The 36-year-old was drafted by the Capitals in the 2008 NHL draft and traded to the Ducks in March of this year.
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