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The Philadelphia Flyers decided to jump into the restricted free agent market in a big way on July Fourth weekend. They announced they’ve tendered an offer-sheet to Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson.
The contract offer is for five years, $90 million, with an average annual value of $18 million. Per The Athletic’s Chris Johnston, the deal is believed to be “heavily front-loaded.” Why?As with the 2012 offer sheet to Shea Weber, Anaheim ownership (specifically Henry Samueli) has the personal wealth to match the deal but it’s an organizational challenge. Why five years? Because it walks Carlsson directly to his first year of unrestricted free agent eligibility. Meanwhile, it’s a no-brainer for the player to sign the offer sheet. He gets paid the same, whether in Anaheim or Philadelphia.
The Ducks have seven days to match the contract offer or accept four of the Flyers first round in each of the next four seasons as compensation.
Why Carlsson?
Carlsson is one of the premier restricted free agent on the market. Center is a position the Flyers would to upgrade. They have serviceable, but not top flight depth at the position. Currently their depth chart has Christian Dvorak, Trevor Zegras, Noah Cates, and Sean Couturier.
A former second overall pick of the Anaheim Ducks, Carlsson finished last season as the Ducks second leading scorer with 29 goals and 67 points. He added four goals and 11 points in 12 playoff games. The Swedish center currently anchors their top line with Chris Kreider and Troy Terry. At 6 foot 3, 205lbs, he has the optimal size, skill, and speed combination that could make him one of the best centers in the NHL.
Additionally, the Ducks had been fairly inactive during the first few days of free agency. It had been reported that they were preparing for potential offer sheets to Carlsson or leading scorer (and former Flyers top pick) Cutter Gauthier. Then again, if Gauther gets an offer sheet for $15 million AAV or more, it would be awfully tough to match both.
Can The Flyers Pry Carlsson Loose?
Quite frankly, the Flyers would appear to be somewhat hard pressed to pry Carlsson out of Anaheim. They made reached the second round of the playoffs on the back of their young core, which includes Carlsson, Gauthier, Beckett Sennecke, and defenseman Jackson Lacombe.
They recently traded center Mason McTavish to the Blues for two 2026 first round picks. Carlsson is considered to be one of the Ducks core players and their center depth would greatly reduced if they lost him. Anaheim also has one of the best salary cap experts in the league in assistant general manager Jeff Solomon.
Finally, the big question will be whether general manager Pat Verbeek would entertain trade offers that could include roster players, prospects, and picks for Carlsson. Or does he match, as reports have signaled he would.
Whether he comes to the Flyers or stay with the Ducks, Carlsson is about to become the highest paid player in the National Hockey League.
Offer sheet season is officially upon us.
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