Photo: NBC Sports

Defenseman John Carlson signed an 8-year contract worth $64 million ($8 million AAV) with the Washington Capitals on Sunday evening. The 28-year old defenseman could have become an unrestricted free agent July 1. 

OFFICIAL: HE’S ALL OURS! @JohnCarlson74 signs an eight-year contract to stay in Washington! Average annual value of $8 million.

More Details: https://t.co/j0ApKQO36b#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/lOBGeaMPK3

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 24, 2018

Carlson led NHL defenseman with 68 points and tallied 15 goals in 82 games during the regular season. He also led NHL defensemen in scoring during the playoffs with 20 points and tied with five goals (Winnipeg Jets’ defenseman Dustin Byfuglien). Carlson posted two goals and four points during the Stanley Cup Final. He was a +11 in the playoffs but had an even rating in the regular season. Carlson also led NHL defensemen with 12 power play points and shared the lead with Nashville Predators’ defenseman P.K. Subban with four power play goals during the postseason. Carlson had 32 power play points during the regular season, second among defensemen behind Philadelphia Flyers’ defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (33).

AAV will be $8M

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 24, 2018

In 608 career games with the Capitals, Carlson has tallied 77 goals and 333 points along with a +59 rating. In 100 career playoff games with the Capitals, he has posted 18 goals and 55 points. He is a +12 in his playoff career.

Carlson was eligible to meet other teams starting at 12 noon on Sunday afternoon but could not sign a contract until July 1. He could have signed a contract with the Capitals at any time.

The Capitals selected Carlson 27th overall in the 2008 NHL Draft and he has played nine seasons in Washington. He also won the Calder Cup in 2010 with the Hershey Bears, the Capitals’ American Hockey League affiliate.

Carlson has $2 million in signing bonus money for 2020-21 and another $2 million for 2022-23, the potential lockout seasons. Likely not as much as agent Rick Curran would have wanted for those 2 years but the same as Oshie/Kuznetsov also got for those 2 same years ($2 M SB)

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 24, 2018

The native of Natick, Massachusetts has represented the United States in the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Carlson’s $8 million cap hit is the second highest on the Capitals behind captain Alex Ovechkin ($9.54 million).

“Defenseman like John are a rare commodity in our League and, at 28 years of age, we feel he is just entering his prime,” Capitals’ General Manager Brian MacLellan said. “As a right-handed defenseman, John plays in all key situations and has contributed greatly to our team’s success on the special teams. We are pleased for both parties to have come to an agreement & for him to continue his great career as a Washington Capital. John has been an exceptional and consistent player for our franchise and has blossomed into being one of the top defensemen in the NHL.”

With reported Carlson deal, Capitals are now $13,215,705 under salary cap, with several key signings to go.

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 24, 2018

By Harrison Brown

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