Capitals' Carlson may be NHL's best-kept secret He doesn't have the star power of a Doughty or a Subban - yet. TSN Senior Hockey Reporter Frank Seravalli explains why Washington's John Carlson has become an elite blueliner in an understated way.

Frank Seravalli TSN Senior Hockey Reporter Follow|Archive

ARLINGTON, Va. - By the time most of the Capitals have filtered onto the ice for practice here at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, defenceman John Carlson has already gotten in 15 minutes of work with assistant coach Todd Reirden. It's a subtle message for the group: the team's minutes leader on the ice for extra practice.

On Tuesday, Carlson and Reirden simulated shots from specifics areas of the point expected to be available against the Penguins tonight. Another day it might be simple repetition of grabbing pucks off the wall and transitioning to his backhand as he slides toward the middle of the ice.

Their routine began last season - when Reirden arrived from Pittsburgh - and it's helped Carlson evolve from a one-dimensional player into one of the NHL's best-kept secrets. No defenceman, not Erik Karlsson or P.K. Subban, has more points than Carlson (10) through the first eighth of the season.

"At first, I don't think John needed to work very hard to be a talented player in this league," partner Brooks Orpik said. "I think he's realized that with just a little more work, he can be one of the game's great players."

Carlson, 25, does not generate the attention or buzz that Roman Josi or Kevin Shattenkirk or Oliver Ekman-Larsson do. Carlson didn't make the cut in TSN's Top 50 player poll, which has input from experts and general managers. He finished at No. 64 - behind the usual suspects such as Drew Doughty and Duncan Keith, but also newcomers Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh.

Part of that buzz may be media driven. Part of it may just be that the Capitals have so much star power with Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie that Carlson can be overlooked.

"As an assistant in Pittsburgh, I knew that John was a good player, but I can't say that he ever really factored into our game-plan," Reirden said. "I think opposing coaches are so focused on the big names on our offence that they aren't watching him too much. We're totally fine with that.

"I know how well he stacks up to the rest of the defencemen. I'm not going to broadcast the numbers, but he's right up there in just about every category."

The lack of recognition may also be due to the fact that Carlson is a typical late bloomer. Yes, he was a first-round pick in 2008, and he played in the NHL at 19, but Reirden scouted Carlson as a 17-year-old in the USHL.

Reirden retired from his playing career and was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Bowling Green University, when Carlson caught his eye. The year before, Carlson was playing for the New Jersey Rockets in the Tier III Atlantic Junior Hockey League, hardly a stepping stone to the NHL.

"I tried to get him, but I was too late," Reirden said. "He already committed to another school. He ultimately went on to the OHL. But I was blown away. He almost didn't know how good he was. I said to myself 'I would love to work with that kid.' It's funny how life works sometimes."

When Reirden arrived from Pittsburgh, Orpik vouched for the method to Reirden's madness. Orpik, 35, was the model Carlson was striving for as a Stanley Cup champion and U.S. Olympian. The buy-in was easy.

An early taste of success last year reinforced Reirden's program. Carlson represented Team USA at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. He finished tied for fifth among defencemen with 55 points. And he led the entire league in 5-on-5 points (33) by defencemen, topping Karlsson, Josi, Subban and Doughty.

"I think I've always worked hard, but I personally made a change with Todd to challenge myself to get better," Carlson said. "Maybe it doesn't matter exactly what you're working on, but a mindset that maybe you get 'this much' [fingers pinched] better at something. You go into a game knowing in your mind that you're as prepared as possible. You start thinking about the little things a lot less."

Reirden can barely hold back his excitement when talking about Carlson's development. The two spends hours each week together reviewing Carlson's shifts, but also those of other top defencemen around the league.

This year, Carlson's big early improvement is stick positioning, according to Reirden.

"He's a big, rangy guy and he wasn't using all of that to his advantage. Now, he's deflecting pucks out of play all over the place," Reirden said. "He's a big reason why we've allowed the fewest shots in the league (24.1 per game)."

Carlson is also making the Capitals - off to their third-best start in franchise history at 6-1-0 - quickly forget about Mike Green's decade in the District. That was a run that included two Norris Trophy runner-ups.

When Carlson and Reirden hatched this plan last year, their stated goal was to garner Norris votes. Carlson finished 10th. Reirden wouldn't reveal this year's objective, but if he keeps improving, Carlson might not be such a secret anymore.

"I don't get too twisted up in that stuff," Carlson said. "The only opinions that matter to me are my teammates. All that other stuff - I'm not going to be a loud guy or do a bunch of outspoken things. For me, it's about letting my game shine through."

Frank Seravalli can be reached at frank.seravalli@bellmedia.ca.