John Carlson is keeping his options wide open. The veteran defenseman has made it clear that re-signing with the Anaheim Ducks is very much on the table this summer.

Speaking during Anaheim's breakdown day on Friday, Carlson did not hide his feelings about the club. "Yeah, I mean, I'm open for sure," Carlson said.

He also had high praise for what the Ducks are building. "I think there's no bones about that. I think this is a special place that is coming into a special time with the players here, and the organization, and all that," he added.

The 36-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. It will be the first time in his career that he could sign with a team other than the Washington Capitals.

According to reporting earlier this month from The Athletic's Chris Johnston, Carlson and the Ducks have already started exploratory talks about an extension. But Carlson made it clear no real numbers have been discussed yet.

When asked if any specific figures had been put on the table, his answer was simple. "No," he said.

Carlson's season ended after the Ducks were eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in a tough six-game second-round series. In 28 combined regular season and playoff games with Anaheim, he recorded 20 points (4g, 16a).

But there are bigger life factors at play here too. The Carlson family still has deep roots in the DC area, where he spent 17 years and raised his kids with his wife Gina.

He admitted the family will take their time before making any big decisions. "Well, I mean, that's the part of it that I don't have answers for right now," Carlson said.

He continued by listing all the things still up in the air. "I certainly loved it here. There's a lot of moving parts to that to properly answer the question," he added.

Still, the pull of Anaheim is real. "It's a special place here for sure, with some extraordinary talent and a really bright future. So that certainly is attractive to anyone, not just myself," Carlson said.

According to AFP Analytics, his next contract is projected to be for three years at a $6.2 million cap hit. As a right-handed defenseman with a Stanley Cup ring, he should have plenty of suitors if he tests the market.

The Capitals could be one of those teams. GM Chris Patrick has said the team is looking to address the right side of their defense, though he could not comment directly on Carlson due to tampering rules.

Ducks GM Pat Verbeek on Whether They Have Any Interest in Re-Signing Carlson

Back in March, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek was asked by NHL.com about the team's interest in keeping Carlson around. His answer suggested the door was definitely open.

"I think the answer is yes," Verbeek said. That was a clear sign the front office values what Carlson brings to the room.

But Verbeek also wanted to keep the focus on the present at the time. "But I think that, like all my other guys, you know, I've got other UFAs, I've got RFAs," he said.

He explained that contract talks would have to wait. "I think the whole mindset is just, 'let's just play hockey, let's get in the playoffs,' and then we'll let all that stuff take care of itself at the appropriate time," Verbeek added.

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Written by

Sahil Prashar

Edited by

Sahil Prashar