SB Nation DC - John Carlson, Washington Capitals Agree To 6-Year Extensionhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2012-09-15T08:30:12-04:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/30993092012-09-15T08:30:12-04:002012-09-15T08:30:12-04:00John Carlson Extension Boosts Capitals' Blue Line
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<p>As the NHL's collective bargaining agreement winds down toward its final hours, teams look to get players signed under the terms of the old agreement. Friday, the <a href="https://www.japersrink.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Capitals</a> were no exception, securing the services of their last unsigned player heading into the new season - whenever it begins - by signing defenseman <span>John Carlson</span> to a six-year, $23.8 million extension.</p>
<p>The signing keeps one of the Capitals' best young players under contract until 2017-18, as the 22-year old likely will give up at least one unrestricted free agent year in the deal - depending on the terms of the new CBA - while earning $4 million per season every year after making $3.8 million in 2012-13.</p>
<p>For Carlson, who had expressed an interesting in staying in Washington earlier this summer, staying close to his New Jersey home long-term was an attractive option.</p>
<p>"To be honest, I think that all I wanted was to be here a long time," Carlson told reporters Friday at Kettler Iceplex after an informal workout. "I think that was something that I've had since I've got here, and it has a lot to do with really liking this team, liking this city and liking our fans."</p>
<p>Carlson had an up-and-down season last year. He recorded a career-high 9 goals, but also earned a -15 plus/minus rating and was caught out of position at times. However, Carlson played much better in Washington's 14 playoff games, recording 5 points and a -1 overall rating against the <a href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bruins</a> and <a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rangers</a>.</p>
<p>Part of the reason for the struggles was the fact that Carlson had to alter his game to suit the more defensive style employed by Washington last season. As a puck-moving defenseman, Carlson seemed a bit limited in former coach Dale Hunter's defensive system. The arrival of a more aggressive coach, Adam Oates, figures to enhance Carlson's game, and the defenseman - who had indicated he wanted to remain in Washington - inked a long-term deal.</p>
<p>"I felt that, obviously, I wasn't at my best all season long," he said. "But I thought I played great in playoffs. I still think that I can get better and there are things that I can take from last year to kind of know where I need to be every game."</p>
<p>Carlson, just over two years removed from making his mark by scoring the overtime game-winner for the United States against Canada at the World Junior Championship, now will be set in Washington's lineup for years to come. Only Alexander Ovechkin and <span>Nicklas Backstrom</span> holding longer-term contracts with the Capitals.</p>
<p>"[Carlson] was in the NHL in short order [in 2009-10] and has played very well since he's been here," Capitals General Manager George McPhee said. "He was probably our best all-round defenseman last year and we think there's still a lot of room to grow.</p>
<p>"He seems to play his best games in the big games and that's what you like to see."</p>
<p>For Carlson and the Capitals, the hope is that he can build on his performance last spring - whenever the season starts - and build upon his first-round pick pedigree.</p>
<p>"I know from myself, from my game and what I've done, I think that it's a big commitment from them and it's a big commitment for me," Carlson said. "I know that I can get a lot better, and I'm not happy with where I am, ever. I think that what they've shown to me means a lot."</p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/9/15/3335282/john-carlson-extension-boosts-capitals-blue-lineTed Starkey2012-09-14T11:44:39-04:002012-09-14T11:44:39-04:00John Carlson, Washington Capitals Agree To 6-Year Extension
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<p>The Washington Capitals have reached a deal with their young star defenseman John Carlson, ensuring he'll be with the Caps for six more years.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.japersrink.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Capitals</a> have reached a deal with young defender <span>John Carlson</span> that will keep him in a Capitals uniform for six more years.</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Caps">#Caps</a> sign dman John Carlson to six-year extension worth $23.8 million. Deal pays him $3.8 mil in 12-13 and $4 mil each of next 5 seasons.</p>
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) <a data-datetime="2012-09-14T15:15:02+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/VogsCaps/status/246628126271107072">September 14, 2012</a>
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<p>The 21-year-old, 6-foot-3 defenseman anchored the Caps defense this season, tallying 32 points and playing more shifts per game than any other player on the team. He's young and talented, and had a great playoff run for a defense that held tough to push series against the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in the Eastern Conference to seven games. It's not a bad deal for either side to keep the 2008 first-rounder in Washington at that price.</p>
<p>The blueliner made a name for himself as a rookie in 2010, with a trio of pivotal scores. First, he tallied a game-winner for Team USA in the finals of the World Junior Hockey Championship, his second of the game to give the squad a gold medal. He also scored a game-tying goal for the Caps in a playoff game against Montreal while also recording the winning goal to earn the Calder Cup for the Hershey Bears in the AHL.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Capitals, head over to </i><a href="http://japersrink.com">Japers' Rink </a><i>and continue to check out </i><a href="http://dc.sbnation.com"><i>SB Nation DC.</i></a></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2012/9/14/3332196/john-carlson-washington-capitals-contract-extensionRodger Sherman