When Alex Ovechkin was done chasing and breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record in April 2025, many would have thought the Washington Capitals captain, and the team overall, would come to a halt. It would have been fair to assume that there was nothing more to look forward to from Ovi or the team anymore, one that has been unapologetically fashioned around him.
However, the Capitals have defied all expectations. The team has gradually caught up in the standings and now leads the Metropolitan Division with a record of 18-9-3 and 39 points. The Capitals’ success is attributable to the collective efforts of the team. Consequently, the management is not desperate to disturb the winning core of the team.
John Carlson is Here to Stay with the Washington Capitals
We do miss John Carlson’s dominating presence on the ice. The veteran blueliner made his last appearance with the Washington Capitals against the Los Angeles Kings. The team has played three games since, winning two of them. As fans anticipate Carlson’s return, there is a positive update about his future with the Caps.
The 35-year-old defenseman is nearing the end of his eight-year, $64 million contract with Washington. The good news is that the conclusion of the contract may not indicate the end of the road for the Carlson-Capitals partnership. According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, contract discussions between the two parties are expected to begin this season.
“As far as Carlson’s concerned, the Capitals haven’t initiated contract discussions with him, thus far, but a conversation is expected at some point this season,” Pagnotta stated, writing for the Fourth Period.
Carlson is not expected to retire, and given the rate at which he is going, the Capitals management is not willing to give up on him either. Notwithstanding his age, the blueliner has shown no signs of slowing down and might just aim for a 60-point-plus season.
According to Pagnotta, the vagaries of the trade market are not expected to affect Carlson’s stay in Washington; the two parties are most likely to sit down for a discussion at the right time. “Despite a thinning 2026 free agent crop, I’m not expecting Carlson to hit the market next July. Sure, it is only December and a lot can change, but the sense I’ve gotten is he wants to keep his career with the Capitals going and the two sides will get down to business when it’s time to do so.”
The contract negotiations between the two sides are unlikely to be complicated or particularly tedious, primarily because of the shared interest in advancing this partnership as the Capitals target a deep playoff run.