John Carlson can’t forget that he is fighting for the NHL lead for points among defensemen because his Washington Capitals teammates keep razzing him about it.”The guys do a good job of pumping that up in the locker room Cheap Christian McCaffrey Jersey ,” Carlson said.Carlson’s 61 points have him tied with the Dallas Stars’ John Klingberg, and he is a dark horse candidate for the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman.”John’s having just a whale of a year,” teammate Matt Niskanen said. ”Monster year – production, been carrying the load all year. He’s been a stalwart back there for us.”This breakout season with a career-high 15 goals and 46 assists is coming at a perfect time for Carlson, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer but has been flying under the radar compared to New York Islanders captain John Tavares. Carlson command upward of $7 million per season on a deal that’s almost certain to be eight years if Washington re-signs him or seven if he hits the market July 1.The 28-year-old has outperformed the six-year contract he signed in 2012 that pays him just under $4 million a year. He has shown the ability to be a dominant No. 1 defenseman by averaging 25 minutes a game, running the point on the top power-play unit, killing penalties and drawing the toughest matchups.A 2008 first-round pick of the Capitals, Carlson likes Washington and would like to stay if the fit is there. General manager Brian MacLellan has said he believes each side wants to get a deal done but will wait until after the season to try to make it happen.The big question is whether the Capitals can make it work under the salary cap, which might require trades even though the ceiling is expected to go up to between $78 million and $82 million from $75 million.Carlson might not reach the $7.875 million annual salary of Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman, who along with Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings is a Norris front-runner Authentic Christian McCaffrey Jersey , but he might not be far off. Carlson has more of an offensive punch than San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic, whose new deal pays him $7 million a year, and he has almost double the points of the next-highest potential free agent defenseman, former Capitals teammate Mike Green, who’s 32.”He’s always been steady,” Washington goaltender Braden Holtby said of Carlson. ”His role’s expanded, obviously, which shows: time on ice and points and such. He’s got all the tools of a great defenseman. “Carlson isn’t the only player excelling in a contract year. Here are some others:JAMES VAN RIEMSDYKThirty-goal scorers get paid handsomely in free agency because they are so rarely available. Van Riemsdyk’s 33 goals are 11th-most in the NHL, and the 6-foot-3, 217-pound left-winger has gotten better around the net. Van Riemsdyk http://www.pantherscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-christian-mccaffrey-jersey , the second overall pick in 2007, has another one of the league’s best bargain contracts at $4.25 million a year, which Toronto inherited from Philadelphia. The Maple Leafs have expressed interest in keeping the 28-year-old.JOHN TAVARESUndoubtedly the best pending free agent, Tavares still not having a new contract with the New York Islanders is generating buzz and whispers like Steven Stamkos two years ago. Stamkos re-upped with Tampa Bay on the eve of free agency, which Tavares could do. The Islanders will miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season and sixth time in Tavares’ nine years in the league. The point-a-game player with 32 goals and 43 assists could fetch $10 million a year or more if he isn’t back with New York.DAVID PERRONThe expansion Vegas Golden Knights struck gold with Perron, whose 66 points are a career high and a big reason they are leading the Pacific Division. The soon-to-be 30-year-old winger got his game back after bouncing around to four different teams the past five seasons and could easily re-sign with Vegas like teammate Jonathan Marchessault did.JOE THORNTONKnee surgery knocked Thornton out of the San Jose Sharks’ lineup in January, cutting short a season in which he had 36 points in 43 games at age 38. If Thornton shows he can still play at the top of his game when he returns, he will be in demand for another one-year contract.RICK NASHGoing from the New York Rangers to Boston appears to have reinvigorated Nash’s game after just 28 points in 60 games before the trade. The 33-year-old power winger’s contract year won’t truly be judged until the playoffs, where he gets another chance to exorcise some past demons.— WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Connor Hellebuyck was proud to know a list of NHL records will now include his name.Andrew Copp scored twice and Hellebuyck set an NHL record for most wins in a season by an American goaltender as the Winnipeg Jets beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 on Saturday night.The 24-year-old Commerce Baker Mayfield Jersey Elite , Michigan, goalie made 30 saves to pick up his 44th win (44-11-9), surpassing Tom Barrasso’s 1992-93 run with the Pittsburgh Penguins.”To be in the history books is something that I’m always going to look back and be proud of,” Hellebuyck said. ”The fact that this locker room has come together, playing the way we’re playing, now the city is behind us the way they are, it’s a fun time being in Winnipeg.”Hellebuyck also tied the NHL record for most wins at home by a goaltender in a single season with 30. Wayne Stephenson of the 1975-76 Philadelphia Flyers had the same mark.The victims and survivors of the fatal bus accident Friday involving Saskatchewan’s Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team were honored before the game.Standing together in a circle at center ice, Jets and Blackhawks players wore jerseys with the word ”BRONCOS” on the back of them in place of their own names as there was a moment of silence and then the anthems.”It was a very somber mood on the ice, kind of one of those things where it could have been any one of us,” Copp said.”You kind of count your blessings. You kind of look to the guy to your left and right http://www.clevelandbrownsteamonline.com/baker-mayfield-jersey , they’re not usual teammates or brothers, but you feel that sense of camaraderie and community with them.”Dustin Byfuglien and Kyle Connor also scored for the Jets (52-20-10), who have won five straight and a franchise-record nine in a row at Bell MTS Place.Winnipeg opens the NHL playoffs next week at home against the Minnesota Wild.Jeff Glass stopped 35 shots for the Blackhawks (33-39-10), who didn’t make the playoffs for the first time since 2007-08.Brent Seabrook scored Chicago’s goal.”I’ve said (to the media) a million times, I think it’s the best part of the season coming up here.” Seabrook said. ”To not be a part of it, not playing any meaningful games for us down the stretch, it’s been tough.”Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp got a standing ovation in the third period after the announcer told the crowd the 36-year-old is retiring after 14 NHL seasons, 11 with Chicago.”Being born in Winnipeg and then hearing the ovation from the crowd, seeing the other team tap their sticks and clap their hands, that hit hard and I’m just thankful for it Authentic Baker Mayfield Jersey , grateful for it,” Sharp said.Winnipeg had mounted a 4-0 lead by early in the second period.Byfuglien began the run when he scored 13 seconds into a two-man advantage with a high blast from the point at 15:12 of the first period.Connor beat Glass on a breakaway 34 seconds into the second. It was his 31st goal of the season, which leads all NHL rookies.Copp put in his eighth and ninth of the season, the second a short-handed goal, to make it 4-0 at 6:35.Seabrook stopped the shutout with a screened shot at 9:08 of the second.The Jets, who relocated from Atlanta in 2011, also set franchise records for wins (52), points (114) and home wins (21).UP NEXTBlackhawks: season over.Jets: face Minnesota in the first round of playoffs.—