The Carolina Hurricanes have acquired the negotiation rights to veteran defenseman John Carlson from the Anaheim Ducks. The deal gives Carolina exclusive rights to negotiate with the 36-year-old before free agency opens on July 1.
Carolina sent the 192nd pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and AHL defenseman Kyle Masters to Anaheim in exchange for the rights. Carlson was traded from the Washington Capitals to Anaheim before last season's trade deadline.
With the Ducks he recorded 14 points in 16 regular-season games and added six assists in 12 playoff games. Anaheim eliminated the Edmonton Oilers in the first round.
Carlson has played 1,159 NHL games and recorded 170 goals and 785 points. He was a key contributor to the Capitals' 2018 Stanley Cup championship.
Anaheim used the acquired draft pick to select WHL forward Noah Kosick.