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5 NHL teams John Carlson should stay away from in 2018-19

By C.L. Kohuss

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 05: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a first period goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 05: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a first period goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CA – MAY 06: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates with teammates against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 6, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jonathan Marchessault
SAN JOSE, CA – MAY 06: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates with teammates against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 6, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jonathan Marchessault /

4. Vegas Golden Knights

We mentioned the Vegas Golden Knights in the Tavares piece, but it’s worth mentioning here as well. They’re the best expansion team that ever graced the planet, so we aren’t here to disparage them. But in two years, Vegas is not going to be Vegas, potentially.

If the cap were to rise to $80 million, it would have $30 million to spend on a group drowning in unrestricted and restricted free agents. Eleven of them to be exact. That includes William Karlsson who is going to get massive dough. James Neal and David Perron are also free agents in July. This team could look more than different next season. In fact, the Golden Knights could look dramatically different after next year as well when they face nine more players needing to get paid.

We won’t doubt that they can repeat the success of this campaign. Everyone was wrong about them initially. And they do have young and solid talent with Jonathan Marchessault and Karlsson on the roster. It’s simply asking for lightning to strike twice.

Consider too that goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is a free agent next summer. There’s no guarantee he stays. Of course, there’s no guarantee he leaves either. If he goes, then Vegas might not have an answer in net through the terms of Carlson’s contract. Backup Malcolm Subban played well at times, but whether he’s starter quality for years to come is unknown. Finally, having a Karlsson and a Carlson on the roster is a lot to ask of any announcer. For now at least we don’t have to worry about them also trying to go after Erik Karlsson. What a nightmare.

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