Unexpected Twist: Former Blackhawks Defenseman Hits Waivers—What’s Next for His Career?

When I first caught wind that Lucas Carlsson was now on waivers with the San Jose Sharks, it got me thinking about the winding path of a guy who’s been shuffling through some serious hockey crossroads. Drafted way back in 2016 by none other than the Original Six stalwarts—the Chicago Blackhawks—Carlsson started turning heads with his tenacity on the blue line. Believe me, those two seasons with Chicago weren’t just about clocking ice time; he managed to chip in a couple of assists while showing grit with blocks and hits that made you sit up and notice. Now, picture a 6-foot defenseman hanging his hat mostly in the AHL with Rockford IceHogs, piling up decent numbers and proving his mettle game after game. Then came the trade shake-up sending him to Florida, and more recently, his stint with San Jose where he’s given flashes of solid play. But hey, the waiver wire—well, that’s an unpredictable beast, and Carlsson’s latest move there adds yet another twist to his journey. Curious how this story unfolds next? LEARN MORE

Former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Lucas Carlsson has been placed on waivers by the San Jose Sharks. 

Carlsson kicked off his professional career with the Blackhawks organization, as the Original Six club selected him with the 110th overall pick of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. From there, he played his first two NHL seasons with the Blackhawks in 2019-20 and 2020-21, where he recorded two assists, nine blocks, 17 hits, and a plus-4 rating in 18 games. 

Carlsson also spent a good amount of time with the Blackhawks’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. In 124 games with Rockford over three seasons, the 6-foot defenseman recorded 15 goals and 62 points. 

Carlsson’s time with the Blackhawks ended when he was traded to the Florida Panthers during the 2020-21 season. 

In 13 games this past season with the Sharks, Carlsson posted one goal, four points, 14 blocks, 14 penalty minutes, and a minus-2 rating. He also recorded 10 goals, 23 points, and a minus-1 rating in 45 AHL games with the San Jose Barracuda in 2024-25.