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Washington Capitals: Three Predictions for John Carlson

By CJ Witt

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 01: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) looks up ice during the Calgary Flames vs. the Washington Capitals NHL game on February 1, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 01: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) looks up ice during the Calgary Flames vs. the Washington Capitals NHL game on February 1, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – MARCH 16: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) makes a shot on goal during the NHL Hockey match between the Lightning and Capitols on March 16, 2019 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Andrew Bershaw/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – MARCH 16: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) makes a shot on goal during the NHL Hockey match between the Lightning and Capitols on March 16, 2019 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Andrew Bershaw/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

He will be a top three nominee for the Norris Trophy

A lot of Caps fans and people who follow this team said this should have been the case last season. I don’t think they will have to wait too much longer. Carlson is one of the best five, six or seven defenseman this planet has. Any of those guys can win and be nominated any year.

This also goes with my last prediction. I expect John to put up similar assists numbers that he has the past two seasons. In 2017-18 he had 53 assists and last season he topped that by putting up 57 assists.

ANNAPOLIS, MD – MARCH 03: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals speaks to the media after his team defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 in the 2018 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series game at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MD – MARCH 03: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals speaks to the media after his team defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 in the 2018 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series game at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

If he’s able to have a career year in terms of goals, lets say 17, and put up another 55 assists that will give him 72 points. That should be good enough to get him some serious Norris nods and put him in the top three at season’s end.

This is obviously a tougher prediction. You never know how good a season other guys will have or when a guy like Giordano will have a year like he did last year. But based on the guys we know and what they’re capable of and if Carlson has a season like I think, a top three finish is a definite possibility, if not likely.

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What are you predictions for John Carlson next season?

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