John Carlson: A Washington Capitals Legend
John Carlson stands as one of the most celebrated players in the National Hockey League. He currently serves as a defenseman for the Washington Capitals. Carlson earns recognition for his incredible scoring ability and playmaking skills. He has achieved impressive milestones throughout his hockey career.
Key Achievements and 2025 Milestones
Carlson is considered a key player for the Capitals. He led the team to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018. On March 30, 2024, Carlson scored in his 1,000th NHL game for the Capitals. The game ended in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins at Capital One Arena.
Another significant milestone occurred on January 6, 2025. Carlson became the seventh United States-born defenseman in NHL history to reach 700 points. He achieved this with an assist in Washington's 4-3 shootout loss at the Buffalo Sabres.
Carlson has already established an accomplished career in the NHL. Let us examine his net worth, salary, contract details, career earnings, and more.
John Carlson's Net Worth and Earnings
Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson's net worth remains undisclosed. However, as of 2025, Carlson earns a salary of ₹54 million per year. The defenseman has signed three contracts throughout his NHL career.
His last deal with the Capitals was an eight-year contract for $64 million. This contract carries a cap hit of $8 million. John's first contract was for $2,625,000 in 2008 with the Washington Capitals. He signed another for $23.8 million in 2012. The total value of all his contracts amounts to around $90 million.
John Carlson's Contract Details
According to PuckPedia, John Carlson's contract details are clear. He is signed to an 8-year, $64,000,000 contract with the Washington Capitals. The deal has a cap hit of $8,000,000 per season. His contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season. This expiration will make Carlson an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA).
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports interesting insights. Carlson has no desire to leave Washington. However, he remains focused on securing a "fair deal" for his future.
John Carlson's Career in the NHL
John Carlson remains a central piece of the Capitals' core. Last season, he posted five goals and 46 assists for 51 points in 79 regular-season games. Carlson led all Washington defensemen in scoring. He also delivered three more points in 10 postseason outings.
Carlson has served as a Capitals alternate captain for six seasons. He enters the 2025-26 season as the franchise leader for a defenseman in several categories. These include games played (1,088), goals (156), assists (569), and points (725).
His consistent performance and leadership continue to define his legacy. Fans and analysts watch his career with great interest as he approaches free agency.
