Flyers sign Ducks center Leo Carlsson to record $90 million offer sheet

Flyers sign Ducks center Leo Carlsson to record $90 million offer sheet

The Philadelphia Flyers have tendered a five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson. The deal carries an average annual value of $18 million, which would be the highest annual salary in the NHL since the salary cap era began in 2005.

Flyers general manager Daniel Briere confirmed the move in a statement, noting that the contract would require Philadelphia to send four first-round draft picks in each of the next four seasons to Anaheim as compensation.

The Anaheim Ducks now have seven days to decide whether to match the offer or exercise their right of first refusal, according to the NHL collective bargaining agreement. Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek announced that the team will not make an immediate decision and will not comment until the process concludes.

Financial Stakes and Market Impact

The offer is significantly frontloaded. According to Puckpedia, nearly $39 million is due within the first 12 months through several signing bonuses. The $18 million annual hit would eclipse the current league high held by Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov. Kaprizov signed an eight-year, $136 million extension in September, which counts for $17 million against the salary cap through 2034.

This aggressive move by the Flyers may influence other pending negotiations across the league. Specifically, the Chicago Blackhawks are currently negotiating a contract extension for star center Connor Bedard, who was tendered a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent on June 30. Bedard, who recorded 75 points (30 goals and 45 assists) in 69 games during the 2025-26 season, has higher career totals than Carlsson, including 203 points, 75 goals, and 128 assists.

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson told reporters on Wednesday that he is willing to be aggressive to retain players he believes in. The Carlsson offer may now serve as a benchmark for Bedard, as well as other young stars like Adam Fantilli and Cutter Gauthier.

Player Profile and Team Context

Carlsson, a 21-year-old native of Karlstad, Sweden, was selected second overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 208 pounds, the center has recorded 141 points (61 goals and 80 assists) over 201 regular-season games with Anaheim.

Last season, Carlsson tallied 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 points in 70 games. Despite being the team's leading scorer on a per-game basis, midseason thigh surgery prevented him from leading the team in overall scoring and forced him to miss the Olympics for Sweden. In the playoffs, he added 11 points in 12 games, including eight in the opening round, helping lead the Ducks to the second round for the first time since 2017.

For the Ducks, the offer arrives amid a period of roster transition. Verbeek must still re-sign restricted free agents Pavel Mintyukov and Cutter Gauthier. The Ducks defense has seen significant turnover, losing former captain Radko Gudas in a trade for Jacob Trouba and A.J. Greer from Florida, and trading Olen Zellweger during the free-agency period. Verbeek did secure veteran defenseman Nick Jensen on a two-year contract.

Historical Precedent

This is not the first time the Flyers have used a high-value offer sheet to target a star. Fourteen years ago, under different management, Philadelphia offered Nashville defenseman Shea Weber a 14-year, $110 million contract. The Predators matched that offer, though Weber was eventually traded to the Montreal Canadiens four years later.

The Ducks also have a history of volatile restricted free agent negotiations under Verbeek. Last year, Verbeek negotiated with Mason McTavish into training camp before trading him for two first-round picks. In 2023, similar dynamics played out with Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale, both of whom were eventually shipped to Philadelphia.