The Carolina Hurricanes have acquired exclusive negotiating rights to veteran defenseman John Carlson from the Anaheim Ducks, the team announced Saturday, June 27, 2026.
The move gives the Hurricanes a head start in contract talks before Carlson becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
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General manager Eric Tulsky sent the No. 192 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and the rights to restricted free agent forward Kyle Masters to Anaheim in exchange for Carlson's negotiating rights.
The Ducks chose to trade Carlson's rights rather than risk losing the 36-year-old for nothing when his contract expires at the end of the month.
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Carlson spent more than 16 seasons with the Washington Capitals, winning the Stanley Cup in 2018, before being traded to Anaheim ahead of the 2025-26 trade deadline.
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If the Hurricanes fail to reach a contract agreement with Carlson in the coming days, he will enter unrestricted free agency and can negotiate with all 32 NHL teams.
