Ducks Bring in John Carlson at NHL Trade Deadline to Boost Playoff Hopes

Ducks Seek Playoff Push with Carlson Acquisition; Kings Begin Rebuilding Efforts

The Anaheim Ducks made a bold move to enhance their chances of reaching the playoffs for the first time in eight years by acquiring defenseman John Carlson ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline. In contrast, the Los Angeles Kings opted to build for the future, making several trades aimed at strengthening their roster depth and increasing their draft picks.

Entering Friday’s matchup with a record of 34-24-3 and second place in the Pacific Division—just one point behind Vegas—the Ducks have not enjoyed a winning record since 2018. General Manager Pat Verbeek signaled a pivotal shift in the team’s long-term strategy by trading first- and third-round draft picks to the Washington Capitals late Thursday for Carlson, 36, who is recognized for his offensive skills and led the Capitals with 36 assists this season.

"What we’ve been doing the last three years is adding assets," Verbeek stated. "I looked at giving this group another extra push and helping us make this push to where we want to go. Ultimately, if we get into the playoffs and we can have a nice run, it’s worth it."

Verbeek expressed confidence in the depth of the Ducks’ draft picks and prospects, asserting the value of acquiring a player of Carlson’s caliber. "Is it worth it to give up a conditional first-rounder? Yes, it is to get the quality of player [like] John Carlson; it made sense."

However, this acquisition could prove risky, as Carlson is in the final year of his contract and may serve only as a short-term solution. Verbeek noted that discussions with Washington accelerated quickly, and Carlson himself learned of the trade while asleep, receiving the news from a cousin. “The middle of the night is not the best way to find out some very altering news like that,” Carlson remarked, adding that he is eager to join his new team.

Alongside the Carlson trade, the Ducks also sent center Ryan Strome to the Calgary Flames. Strome, 32, has recorded three goals and six assists in 33 games this season, while the Ducks will receive a seventh-round pick in 2027 in return.

In contrast to the Ducks’ aggressive moves, the Kings made more measured adjustments to their roster. They signed forward Mathieu Joseph, a Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and acquired center Scott Laughton from the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, they also traded away forwards Corey Perry and Warren Foegele for draft picks.

Joseph, 29, joins the Kings after tallying two goals and 11 points in 39 games with the St. Louis Blues before the termination of his contract. Laughton, 31, recorded eight goals and four assists with Toronto and is expected to provide additional depth as the Kings navigate recent roster changes.

For the Kings, the deadline has been primarily about asset management. The contracts of both Joseph and Laughton expire at the season’s end, while the trade of Foegele clears $3.5 million from next season’s payroll. The team also prioritized protecting their young talent while securing two additional draft picks in trades.

Perry, a former Ducks player who joined the Kings as a free agent last summer, was sent to Tampa Bay for a second-round pick in the 2028 draft. Foegele, the third King to request a trade this season, was moved to Ottawa for a second-round pick in the upcoming draft and a conditional swap of third-round picks.

The Kings, currently 25-22-14 and having been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the last four seasons, sit sixth in a competitive Pacific Division, only three points off a wild-card spot. This volatility follows a tumultuous period that saw General Manager Ken Holland acquire forward Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers and extend him on a two-year, $22-million deal just before the Olympic break. The Kings have since navigated significant injuries, including the loss of Kevin Fiala to a fractured leg and winger Andrei Kuzmenko’s surgery for a torn meniscus, further complicating an offense that ranks near the bottom of the league in scoring.

In the wake of these developments, Holland has made sweeping changes within the organization, recently firing coach Jim Hiller and promoting assistant D.J. Smith to the interim head coach position. Undergoing five coaching changes and three general managers since the 2016-17 season, the Kings are still seeking to reclaim their former playoff glory, with their last postseason series victory dating back to 2014.