Add The New York Post on Google The Flyers are making a bold swing for one of the best young players in hockey.
Philadelphia announced Friday that it tendered a five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Ducks center Leo Carlsson, putting Anaheim on the clock and risking four first-round picks in the process.
The offer carries an $18 million average annual value, which would make Carlsson the highest-paid player in the NHL, topping Oilers star Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million AAV and even the Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov’s $17 million mark he’s set to make next season.
General Manager Daniel Briere of the Philadelphia Flyers addresses the media regarding the firing of Head Coach John Tortorella prior to an NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Wells Fargo Center on March 27, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NHLI via Getty Images But the draft-pick compensation may be the bigger part of the gamble.
If Anaheim declines to match, the Flyers would land a star center yet to enter the prime of his career — but only after surrendering their first-round picks in each of the next four drafts.
If the Ducks match, Philadelphia will have at least forced Anaheim into a massive contract for its 21-year-old franchise cornerstone.
The Ducks have seven days to decide whether to match the Flyers’ offer or accept the picks.
Ducks reporter Zach Cavanagh wrote that “four other teams” gave an offer sheet to Carlsson and added that Anaheim isn’t expecting to make a decision Friday.
Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks smiles during warmups before Game Three of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights at Honda Center on May 8, 2026 in Anaheim, California. NHLI via Getty Images It’s a stunning move for Flyers general manager Daniel Briere, who is attempting to accelerate Philadelphia’s timeline.
The Flyers made the playoffs for the first time since 2020 last season, the first under head coach Rick Tocchet, before falling to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes in the second round.
Carlsson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has 141 points in 201 career games, including 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 points in 70 regular-season games last season.
He also added 11 points in 12 playoff games during Anaheim’s postseason run.
