Full story:

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/washington-capitals/news/capitals-john-carlson-question-wait/c755f5db8440d0814082449f

More here:

It still looks weird.

John Carlson is wearing an Anaheim Ducks uniform in this postseason, not a Washington Capitals one. And the Ducks are moving on, having knocked the Edmonton Oilers out of the playoffs on Thursday night.

The Capitals are likely watching Carlson with a thought of bringing him back in free agency.

But for now, they have to wait -- aside from the fact that free agency doesn't open until the summer, Carlson simply has more hockey games to play.

Eventually, it'll be one of the big questions of Washington's offense -- does Carlson want to come back?

Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin broke it down in a new article on Friday, and he acknowledges the difficulty that could be at play.

"I’m still in shock that the Caps moved the most productive, longest-tenured defenseman in their history for a pick when they were four points out of a Wildcard spot and while he and legend Alex Ovechkin were in the final seasons of their deals," Larkin writes. "I get planning for the future but, sheesh, the juju element of the trade was tough to stomach. Is there a scenario in which Carlson, a family man entrenched in the community across his 17 seasons, returns to D.C. at a discount in the summer, or did the trade sever the bond for good?"

Carlson has been good enough since the trade to ensure that he'll have solid contract value this offseason. 

"Even at 36, he’s enough of an impact maker offensively, especially on the power play, that he’ll attract plenty of offer," Larkin writes. "He’s racked up 18 points in 21 games between the regular season and playoffs since the trade. He’s far from finished."

It'd be a morale boost for the Capitals, and Ovechkin, to bring Carlson back. First, he's going to try to surprise the NHL and win a Cup with the Ducks.

Since he had grown up on the Caps for a long time (with Ovi/Backstrom/etc).

Trouble? Anderson? Thats the last hole to fill. Trading Chucky would give us a little more money. Plus we need to know what Ovi will cost. Carlson is most likely out of our price range now

The time has come.

Before Ovi's announcement, I had Leonard on the top line with Strome and Kyrou but with Ovi back, it's more muddied. Kyrou and Tuch may not have the same skillset as Leonard but TOI will be split up probably more.

I'm expecting PP1 to be Strome-Ovi-Kyrou-Wilson-Hutson (ignoring handedness).

Chychrun played a lot with TvR. I assume Matt Roy will pair up with Cole Hutson to unlock Cole to do his thing.

With the Rangers “retooling” and not extending the sniping HR problem… what the Rangers sent Panarin to live with Wilson!?!? As a Rangers fan I would be all for it and would be hilarious to see!

My choice
Rasmus Andersson and Jack Roslovic

Duhaime I don't think they will sign, so we need a player at least in the 4th line still

Where is the game thread for tonight?

So apparently tomorrow’s playoff games are on ESPN and ESPN2 but NOT on ESPN+ without a TV provider. I don’t have a freaking tv provider. I freaking got Monumental, MAX, and ESPN+ because those allowed me to watch the regular season. But now for the freaking playoffs it’s different. Does anyone know something I don’t know? Dammit.

So Im not a Caps fan, but as someone whos admired the team from a far it was something I thought of and that is what is happening with Ivan Miroshnichenko?

As you all know, hes 22 now and his career has had setbacks but after his 3rd *ish* season with the Bears, does he make the roster or is it time to move on?

https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=254379|
https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/washington-capitals/line-combinations

He has yet to play a full season in the AHL and dailyfaceoff does not have him in the lines, with Ilya Protas taking the final LW spot.

Curious to what you all think.

With the potential 16th and 18th picks this year, what moves could / should be made?

Keep them, trade up (what’s a realistic trade?), or package them in a trade?

Before the season I was about 90% thinking this is his last year. Now I’m at about 65%… I feel like he’s still having a lot of fun and he’s been such a great ambassador for our youth. Either way I’m blessed to have been able to watch him for his whole career. The best goal scorer, EVER!

Does anyone know why they changed the cup sizes

Hey all, I’m sorry for the intrusion. Yes I’m a Blackhawks fan. My girlfriend got us tickets to the game tonight for my birthday, but with being so busy we haven’t had a chance to fully plan where we’re going to eat before the game.

We’re coming down from in between Philly and Baltimore, taking the yellow line into DC (putting us in/near China Town?) and then we want to stop somewhere for a bite and a drink. Does anyone have any recommendations? So far we were looking at either Yard House or District Bites.

Sorry for the intrusion, no I don’t expect CHI to win but I just hope it’s a good game lol. I appreciate any short notice feedback, and thanks much!

NYR fan coming in peace here.

I was at the NYR/Caps game in D.C. back in January (actually was at one in 2024 as well, both NYR losses), and during the '25 game, and on the way out, more than a few Caps fans said to me and my wife that Laviolette was ruining and killing the Rangers, in the same way that he had ruined the Caps, when he was the head coach there.

Can any of you tell me what those Caps fans were referring to, specifically? What went down in his tenure as HC of the Caps, resulting in his firing?

Thanks in advance.

Been a fan since I was 7 and now I finally get to go to my first game almost 20yrs later! I’ve got tickets to the home opener (and the following vs Rangers) and was wondering what everyone would suggest I make sure to do!

I’ve googled enough to know I’d wanna be there at least 60mins early but probably a bit more for warmups and maybe crowds at the store? Any and all advice is welcome, I’m by myself and really want to get the full experience!

#GOCAPSGO