The Philadelphia Flyers have left the NHL in shock by signing Anaheim Ducks restricted free agent Leo Carlsson to a five-year, $90 million offer sheet. The contract carries an annual average value of $18 million. Anaheim now has seven days to match the offer or accept four consecutive first-round draft picks.
Carlsson earned the offer after posting 67 points in 70 regular-season games. He added 11 points in 12 playoff games. Anaheim reached the second round for the first time since 2018.
Former NHL defenseman Jason Demers believes the move creates major consequences for both franchises.
"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."
Demers believes Anaheim faces a difficult decision either way. Matching preserves a franchise center but ties up significant resources. Declining means losing one of the league's best young players.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman also revealed key contract details.
"Key details from what I understand on Leo Carlsson offer-sheet: Front-loaded and bonus structure, as we’d all expect," Friedman said. "In the next 12 months, he will earn approximately $39M."
Friedman later added, "Approximately $85M of the $90M is in bonuses."
The signing bonus structure increases the financial pressure beyond the salary cap. Anaheim has enough cap space to match the deal. However, the upfront cash commitment makes the decision more challenging.
Both teams reached the second round after breakout 2025-26 seasons. Philadelphia is betting Carlsson can become its long-term franchise center. Anaheim must now decide whether keeping him is worth one of the richest contracts in NHL history.
