The Philadelphia Flyers are taking a massive swing at poaching Leo Carlsson, tendering a five-year offer sheet worth $18 million per season to the Anaheim Ducks’ restricted free-agent center, the team announced Friday.
The proposed contract would make Carlsson the highest-paid player in the NHL and would cost the Flyers four first-round draft picks if Anaheim declines to match the offer sheet over the next seven days.
The Ducks told teams earlier this offseason that they’d match any offer sheet for Carlsson, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Four teams presented offer sheets to the 21-year-old, reports TSN’s Darren Dreger.
Carlsson, the second overall pick in 2023, notched 67 points in 70 games last season.
The Flyers currently have over $29 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia. The club also owns an unprotected first-rounder from the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2027.
Carlsson would become the Flyers’ top center if he joins the team. Philadelphia surprised this past season by qualifying for the playoffs and reaching the second round.
The Ducks have over $35 million in financial flexibility to help retain Carlsson. Anaheim, which snapped a seven-year playoff drought last season, was eliminated in the second round by the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Flyers and Ducks have a history of completing bombshell transactions, as Philadelphia sent Cutter Gauthier to Anaheim in 2024 after the young forward requested a trade.
Copyright © 2026 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Source: Sports Hockey – The Score
