A Philadelphia Flyers free agency target has told the Anaheim Ducks that he is moving on from the team. Per Pierre LeBrun with The Athletic, John Carlson has informed the Ducks that he is moving on from the team and will enter free agency.
As previously reported, LeBrun writes that the 36-year-old prefers to move back to the East. That is what initially linked Carlson, the long-time Washington Capital, to the Flyers. The insider also mentions that he expects a 2-year, $10 million AAV deal to be on the table for the future Hall of Famer.
LeBrun notes that the Tampa Bay Lightning is a team to watch for Carlson. Especially since they’re at risk of losing defenseman Darren Raddysh this summer, the team to watch for Carlson is. However, he would be a perfect fit for the Flyers.
The Flyers have long been in need of a solution on the power play, and Carlson would bring just that. During his long NHL career, the right-shot defenseman has 49 power-play goals and 278 power-play points. He’s played 1159 NHL games in his career, tallying 170 goals and 785 points with a career rating of +112.
Carlson is well beyond his prime. But he could still give the Flyers top-pair minutes, especially if playing alongside minute-eating, reliable defenseman Travis Sanheim.
With competitive hockey still ahead of the 17-year veteran, there is likely to be a big market of teams. All of which, with a competitive window. It is not a very full free agency class, so Carlson will find his way towards the top of the list for many teams. It should be a quick-moving market.
If you were the Flyers, would you give Carlson the 2-year, $20 million deal that LeBrun expects to be on the table for Carlson?
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