Overview
- Carlson told Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek through his agent that he will enter unrestricted free agency and prefers to play on the East Coast.
- He finished the 2025–26 season with 60 points in 71 games split between Washington and Anaheim, a total that keeps him in demand as a right‑shot power‑play quarterback.
- Insiders disagree on market value, with Frank Seravalli and Pierre LeBrun projecting roughly $9–$10 million average annual value while AFP Analytics models about $7 million AAV.
- Seravalli listed the Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks as fits and LeBrun and others have pointed to the Capitals and Tampa Bay as potential suitors.
- Free agency opens July 1 at 12:00 p.m. ET, and Carlson’s East‑coast preference combined with Washington’s reported cap room means his choice could alter several teams’ plans for right‑handed defense and the power play.