Photo credit: John Carlson

Ticking off the last item on his summer to-do list, George McPhee has signed defenseman John Carlson to a six-year contract on Friday. Carlson will earn about four million dollars a year over a pretty long term. He will be the second highest paid D-man on the team next season (behind Mike Green).

Press release, ahoy!

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman John Carlson to a six-year, $23.8 million contract extension, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Carlson will earn $3.8 million in 2012-13 and $4 million per year from the 2013-14 season through 2017-18.

“John is a talented young defenseman who has played very well for the Capitals and still has room to grow,” said McPhee.  “He wanted to make a long term commitment to the team and we are delighted that this young man who is an important part of our future will be a member of the club for many years to come.”

Carlson, 22, recorded 32 points (nine goals, 23 assists) and 22 penalty minutes in 82 games last season with Washington, setting a career high in goals scored. He finished the season ranked second among Capitals blueliners in goals, points and shots (152) and tied for the team lead among defensemen in power-play goals (4). He ranked second on the Capitals in ice time per game (21:51) and led the team in blocked shots (153). Carlson finished the postseason tied for fifth on Washington in points (two goals, three assists) and was tied for the lead among Capitals defensemen in goals, assists and shots (27). His 24:02 of ice time per game was second on the team and his 38 blocked shots led all Capitals players.

The Natick, Mass., native matched a Capitals single-season record for most points by a rookie defenseman (37) during the 2010-11 season and led all rookies in ice time per game (22:38), blocked shots (160) and ranked fourth among rookie blueliners in points. He was named to the 2010-11 NHL All-Rookie Team. In 186 career NHL games with Washington, Carlson has tallied 75 points (17 goals, 58 assists) and a plus-17 rating.

The 6’3”, 212-pound defenseman helped Hershey, the Capitals American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, win the 2010 Calder Cup championship, collecting seven points (two goals, five assists), including the cup-clinching goal in Game 6, in 13 playoff games. That same year, Carlson scored the overtime, game-winning goal to help the United States win the gold medal at the 2010 World Junior Championship (WJC) against Canada. He posted three goals and four assists in seven tournament games as an alternate captain and was named to the WJC All-Star Team. In addition, Carlson helped Hershey win the 2009 Calder Cup championship, collecting three points (one goal, two assists) in 16 playoff games.

Carlson was originally drafted by Washington in the first round (27th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Now we just need a season of hockey to play.