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Washington Capitals: John Carlson’s 2018-19 Final Grade

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) stickhandles the puck out of his own end during the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals NHL game March 26, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) stickhandles the puck out of his own end during the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals NHL game March 26, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson had another strong season. Honestly, it was Norris Trophy worthy.

John Carlson has been a vital defenseman for the Washington Capitals and had his best season in 2018-19. Despite this, the NHL went with other candidates for the Norris Trophy nominations.

Even so, Carlson is coming off two of his best seasons in a row in Washington. He played in all 82 regular season games in 2017-18 and recorded 68 points (15 goals, 53 assists). During their Stanley Cup run in the spring he led the defense with 20 points (5 goals, 15 assists).

What made Carlson shine the brightest that season though was more than the numbers. He helped lead a young, relatively inexperienced defensive core in the final year of his contract.

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The Capitals gave him a massive raise: eight-years and $64 million after the Stanley Cup hoopla. It was their biggest move of the offseason and Carlson showed Brian MacLellan the following season he was worth the price.

Carlson not only earned his first All-Star Game selection but won the “Hardest Shot” competition, the second straight year a Capitals player won that contest after Alex Ovechkin took him the crown the previous year.

Carlson finished fourth in points in 2018-19 with 70 (13 goals) and led the team with 57 assists. He was first among, you guessed it, defenseman in scoring. Carlson additionally ranked first among the Capitals with 164 blocked shots and averaged the most ice time among skaters with 25:04 minutes per game.

Carlson was also second to Alex Ovechkin with 10.5 point shares. Additionally, he was second to Braden Holtby with 2,005 total minutes on the ice. In terms of +/-, Carlson was second to Michal Kempny with a +21.

In the playoffs Carlson recorded five assists in their seven games, tying the top of the list in that category with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Ovechkin. Four of those five assists came on the power play. He additionally averaged the most ice time among skaters at 26:14 per game and led the team with 23 shots.

Carlson and Kempny were pairing partners ever since the team traded for him in the middle of the 2017-18 season just before the trade deadline. When Kempny went down in the Capitals loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning at home, Carlson’s advanced stats weren’t the same. That affected the team not only during the homestretch of the regular season but in their first round defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes.

When Carlson was paired with Kempny, his Corsi-For percentage at even-strength was at 52.18%. When the duo was separated, Carlson’s CF dropped to 46.56% (via Natural Stat Trick).

Next. Evgeny Kuznetsov's 2018-19 Final Grade. dark

Grade A: John Carlson’s final grade is an A for not only his efforts this season but being a leader for the last two seasons. With Brooks Orpik announcing his retirement, don’t be surprised if he receives the “A” patch this upcoming season. At 29 and still getting better, Capitals fans will feel more secure about the defense knowing Carlson is locked in for seven more seasons.

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