The Philadelphia Flyers stunned the NHL by tendering a record-setting five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks restricted free agent Leo Carlsson, carrying an annual average value of $18 million. If Anaheim declines to match within seven days, Philadelphia will send four consecutive first-round draft picks as compensation.
The Flyers confirmed the move in a statement.
“We have tendered an offer sheet to Anaheim center Leo Carlsson,” the statement reads. “The offer is a five-year contract worth an average annual value (AAV) of $18M, which would require four of the Flyers first-round draft picks in each of the next four seasons as compensation.”
General manager Daniel Briere and the organization would have no further comment until Anaheim decides whether to match the contract or accept the draft-pick compensation.
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Carlsson, 21, is coming off a breakout campaign with 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 points in 70 regular-season games. He also produced 11 points in 12 playoff contests as Anaheim reached the second round for the first time since 2018.
The blockbuster offer immediately drew strong reactions across the hockey world, with many focusing on its impact beyond just the Flyers and Ducks.
Leo Carlsson’s $18M AAV deal could reshape NHL contract market
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) skates at Honda Center.
NHL insider Kevin Weekes revealed the Ducks had planned for a much different negotiation. He wrote, “👀Per my conversations earlier in the week with sources, the @AnaheimDucks were hoping to be between 10M-12M AAV for Carlsson & Gauthier, knowing Sennecke will be next in line, the @NHLFlyers have now come off the top rope. This also impacts Bedard & Celebrini.”
Weekes’ point highlights the wider consequence of the contract. Carlsson’s deal could influence negotiations involving young stars such as Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini, whose next contracts may now be compared against this benchmark.
TSN insider Darren Dreger emphasized how aggressively teams pursued Carlsson.
“This will certainly juice the market according to several player agents,” Dreger said. “Carlsson had 4 teams present Offer Sheets and several who shard a high level of interest.”
Dreger also pointed to the contract’s unique structure. He said, “Details around the Offer Sheet are incredible. Heavily loaded in signing bonus with close to $20 mil paid when the contract is registered with the league. All 5 years with huge signing bonus payouts.”
Ducks’ problem in Leon Carlsson situation
Former NHL defenseman Jason Demers argued the offer creates pressure regardless of Anaheim’s decision.
“So basically by doing this the Flyers are sealing not only their fate, but the Ducks fate to never win the Stanley cup for the foreseeable future 🤣🤣,” Demers wrote. “If the Ducks don’t accept that is. I think they have destroyed the Ducks for the next 3-4 years at least.”
Not everyone believes the Ducks will hesitate. Reporter Andy Strickland wrote, “Anaheim Ducks have cap space and the wealthiest owner in the #NHL in Henry Samueli. It’s a no brainer to match.”
Former NHL goaltender Martin Biron offered a different view. He said, “Even if I think that Anaheim will match the Leo Carlsson offer sheet, it’s always complicated if/when there’s a huge signing bonus. NHL owners have lots of money but do you have $20M cash available in less than 7 days?? That is why it is not a full guarantee Anaheim will match.”
Sportsnet’s Eric Engels added another wrinkle, saying, “Ducks have been dead set against giving signing bonuses… Technically, even if they match (imagine they will), it won’t have been them that gave them to Carlsson.”
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So, the Flyers have forced Anaheim into an uncomfortable decision. Matching preserves a franchise center but reshapes future salary planning. Declining delivers four first-round picks but removes one of the league’s emerging stars. Either outcome changes both organizations, while the ripple effects could influence contract talks across the NHL for years.
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