Ahead of 2026 NHL free agency, one of the players the Flyers have rumored interest in in 36-year-old right-handed defenseman John Carlson. The long-time Washington Capital will be looking for a new home, and the Flyers might be interested in what he brings to the table.
So let’s weigh some pros and cons about the potential offseason signing!
Pros
Carlson posted 60 points in 71 games between the Ducks and Capitals last season. It was his best output since 2021-22, but even still, he’s good for at least 50 points during a healthy campaign. That is the exact kind of production the Flyers’ blueline is desperately lacking. For reference, Travis Sanheim led the Flyers defenders with 37 points.
14 of those 60 points were recorded on the powerplay, which would’ve been tied for second on the Flyers behind only Trevor Zegras.
One of the most important things that Carlson brings to the table is experience. This is a very young, and very inexperienced Flyers team. That was painfully obvious during the playoffs. They were akin to a chicken with its head cut off against the much more mature Hurricanes squad. Carlson has 149 games of playoff experience and a Stanley Cup ring, plus five top-10 Norris finishes. Having an actual veteran leader on the team rather than just using that term as lip service for someone who has been under contract for over a decade with no real accolades to his name could make all the difference in the lineup.
The other bright side here, is that he’s (more than likely) a short term option (but given the Flyers’ love of long-term deals, nothing is certain.)
The Flyers made the playoffs. They need to put one foot in front of the other and make progress next season. They can’t just run back an identical product and hope to catch lightening in a bottle again. But the 2026 offseason is as close to barren as possible. The free agent pool is empty and the trades are minimal, leaving the Flyers between a rock and a hard place when it comes to upgrades. Carlson can show up for a year, maybe two, help out, then leave relatively painlessly, making the roster better in the short term, giving them a chance to reassess next summer and either play Oliver Bonk full time or find a younger, long-term solution.
Cons
The right side of the Flyers’ defense is already accounted for without factoring in Carlson. Jamie Drysdale and Rasmus Ristolainen are here, with David Jiricek on a new one-way contract while Oliver Bonk looks to be ready to handle his own in the NHL. If they don’t trade Ristolainen (which feels unlikely he goes anywhere) then they’re essentially kicking both of their prospects to the curb in the name of a veteran. For Bonk, that may not be the end of the world considering he’s only entering his sophomore professional season, but it directly screws over Jiricek, who is basically expected to be the third pair power play guy.
Sure, adding Carlson can be written off as a player for Jiricek to sit under the learning tree from. But if we’ve learned anything from the previous decade of prospect integration, just assuming the baton gets passed naturally could be farfetched. In reality, Jiricek will get a chance, make one mistake and Tocchet will banish him to the press box for weeks at a time before falling back to relying on the vets. If Carlson can still go, that may not be a huge problem today, but it creates a hiccup for the development of the players that are going to be here for years to come.
Conclusion
Carlson’s best years are behind him, there’s no arguing that. But considering the modern day NHL is a young man’s league, the fact he’s still chugging along at 36 is very impressive.
In reality, he ticks a lot of boxes the Flyers are looking for. Short-term veteran power play option. In a summer where finding a bonafide upgrade is going to be nearly impossible, getting better without making a stupid commitment to a lesser player is the next best thing.
The overcrowding on defense is a problem. The Flyers’ love of collecting random dudes is a problem. It often leads to the feeling of a listless ship with no real direction. Particularly if they sign Carlson in free agency then acquire Darnell Nurse via trade, it could get rather congested on the blueline, stuck between the past and the future.
The Flyers have more than enough cap space to give Carlson a one-year, big money deal that they can wash their hands clean of next summer. If, for some reason, Carlson’s play magically falls off a cliff, they’re not strapped to him forever. It’s a worthwhile experiment, especially considering the lack of other easily-attainable options.
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)
photo credit: nhl.com
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