The Anaheim Ducks have locked in 21-year-old center Leo Carlsson by matching the Philadelphia Flyers’ offer sheet, retaining a cornerstone of their roster on a five-year, $90 million contract. The deal carries an average annual value of $18 million, making him the NHL’s highest-paid player by yearly salary.
Carlsson had weighed a major financial opportunity from Philadelphia against his preference to remain in Anaheim. After signing the offer sheet with the Flyers, he spent the following days in Sweden waiting for a decision, keeping busy with workouts and time with friends. He learned shortly before the announcement that the Ducks would match, a resolution that brought relief to him and his family. Teammates expressed support throughout and hoped he would stay.
General Manager’s Insight and Future Expectations
General manager Pat Verbeek said the club was prepared for an offer sheet given its salary-cap flexibility, though the size of the Flyers’ proposal exceeded expectations. Anaheim evaluated the alternative—receiving four first-round picks as compensation—while holding multiple internal discussions, including with ownership, before concluding that matching was the right move. Verbeek described Carlsson as a foundational piece since the Ducks selected him No. 2 in the 2023 NHL Draft and expects him to reach an elite level during this contract.
Carlsson is Anaheim’s top-line center, valued for playmaking, speed, and reliable two-way impact that allows coach Joel Quenneville to use him against opposing top units. He helped the Ducks reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season for the first time since 2018, finishing second on the team with 67 points (29 goals, 38 assists) in 70 games, behind Cutter Gauthier’s 69 points. He added 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 12 postseason games, tying Troy Terry for second on the team.
Looking ahead, Carlsson does not plan to change who he is as a player but aims to smooth out stretches of inconsistency. The Ducks would also like to see him build on his 6-foot-3, 208-pound frame. With the offer sheet matched, Anaheim secures its first-line center and a key driver of its continued climb.