Carlson Traded After 17 Years, Ovechkin Expresses Strong Doubts about Future with Capitals

Katherine Hirsche
Washington Capitals Defenseman John Carlson Skating during game against San Jose Sharks

After 17 seasons with the Washington Capitals, John Carlson has been traded to the Anaheim Ducks for the rest of the 2026 season and beyond. In exchange, the Capitals received a conditional first-round draft pick for 2026 and a third-round draft pick for 2027.

Carlson’s Mixed Feelings

The 36-year-old defenseman spent his entire career with the Capitals, after being drafted as a first-round pick back in 2008. He signed an 8-year contract with the team after helping them win their first and only Stanley Cup back in 2018, and so this trade was bittersweet. Carlson was traded on Thursday, March 5th, and learned partially through a cousin’s text that he would not be continuing with the Capitals.

The defenseman had suspected that he may be traded in the past few weeks, but indicated that he would have rather stayed. However, after the trade, he also expressed that he was excited to join the Ducks in their bid to make the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, as the Capitals’ chances begin to slip away.

Carlson heard the news of his trade on the night of March 5th and flew to California to join the Ducks the next day, telling reporters beforehand that he wasn’t pleased with the late notice but was excited to begin his career with the Ducks.

Carlson’s Capital Career

In his career with the Capitals, Carlson played in 1143 games, scored 166 goals, recorded 605 assists, passed 771 times, and had a +/- statistic of +114. During the 2025-2026 season, Carlson played in 55 games, scored 10 goals, recorded 36 assists, passed 46 times, and had a +/- statistic of +11. He will be an asset to the Ducks, who lead the Edmonton Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights by a single point for top spot in the Pacific Division.

Ovechkin Reacts to Carlson’s Trade

Star Capitals player and all-time NHL scorer Alex Ovechkin was one of Carlson’s longtime teammates and friends, and he expressed his dismay at the trade in an interview with NHL.com, indicating that the exit could signal an end to his own career with the Washington, D.C. based team. Ovechkin is on his last contracted season with the Capitals.

“We’ve been together since his Day 1 on Caps and we’re growing up together as a person, families,” Ovechkin, who joined the Capitals in 2005, said. He and right wing Tom Wilson are now the only two members of the 2018 Stanley Cup team remaining on the Capitals’ roster.

NHL Alex Ovechkin upset after John Carlson traded to Ducks
Sep 27, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) smiles during a stoppage in play against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second period at Capital One Arena. Ovechkin recently made comments on Carlson’s trade to the Ducks, indicating uncertainty about his future with the Capitals beyond this season. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Ovechkin also said that he didn’t know whether he would stay with the Capitals beyond this season, and that “I’m still here, so we’ll see. We’ll see what’s going to happen, but, yeah, it’s a hard one.”

The Capitals Gain Two Important Draft Picks

In return for trading Carlson to the Anaheim Ducks, Capitals leadership came closer to their goal of landing a key forward, especially if Ovechkin really is in his last season with them. Their first-round NHL draft pick is conditional, however, because if the Ducks do not make the playoffs, they can retain their 2026 first-round pick and instead transfer a 2027 first-round pick to the Capitals.

Capitals general manager Chris Patrick expressed excitement about the first-round draft pick in particular. We can use it to try to add something, or we can use it to get a good player. I mean, we weren’t going to do it for just anything, for sure,” he told NHL.com.