Carlson deal ‘close’ for Capitals

DALLAS — Although the Washington Capitals now have considerably more money to work with after their salary-clearing trade Friday night, the team hasn’t started spending any of it yet.

Washington’s preference would be to sign defenceman John Carlson before the window for the pending unrestricted free agent to meet with other teams opens at noon today, and while General Manager Brian MacLellan described the sides as “really close” Friday night, they nonetheless remained apart Saturday afternoon.

The Capitals also have extended a contract offer to pending unrestricted free agent defenceman Michal Kempny, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Carlson and Kempny were the Capitals’ top defensive pairing during the team’s playoff run, which ended with the franchise’s first Stanley Cup championship. Carlson was drafted by Washington in the first round 10 years ago, and he has been on a teamfriendly contract for the past six seasons that paid him roughly US$4 million per year. With Carlson coming off a career year with 15 goals and 53 assists, making him the top-scoring blue-liner in the NHL, while averaging more than 25 minutes per game, his salary is expected to at least double.

Carlson’s agent, Rick Curran, said in a text message Friday night that he was “certainly encouraged by the move to create the necessary cap space,” after Washington packaged veteran defenceman Brooks Orpik (and his $5.5 million salary cap hit) with backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche.

Washington has more than $21 million to work with now that the salary cap has jumped to $79.5 million for next season. MacLellan has said the Capitals’ priorities are Carlson, Kempny and restricted free agent winger Tom Wilson.