A day after the Utah Mammoth announced that they had matched the Barrett Hayton Offer Sheet from the New Jersey Devils, the Anaheim Ducks announced that they would match Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers.
Five more years of LEO!
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) July 9, 2026
Six days ago, the Philadelphia Flyers tendered a five-year, $90 million offer sheet with an AAV of $18 million. $85 million to $90 million will be paid as signing bonuses. In addition, Carlsson will receive $39 million of the $90 million in the first 12 months of the contract.
Anaheim Ducks Potential Cap Crunch Averted
It was a nice offer sheet presented by Flyers GM Daniel Briere. However, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek said before the offer sheet was given to the Ducks’ first base, Verbeek told the media that he would match any offer sheet that came Carlsson’s way.
Yes, Verbeek really put his money where his mouth was, as many expected. The talk around the league before the decision was that the Ducks would match the offer sheet.
“I think a lot of people around the world are expecting the Ducks to be the same,” said Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period on TSN Radio in Montreal. “The Flyers are preparing for that, and I think a lot of people around the world are expecting, like I said, Ducks like that.”
“So, listen, at the end of the day I think Anaheim fits this thing. I think there’s no way it’s not going to fit this thing,” said Anthony Di Marco of the Daily Faceoff on TSN Radio in Montreal.
Leo Carlsson’s Offer Sheet Is $5-6 Million Over Anaheim Ducks Last Offer
Verbeek locked down the player he wanted to pick with the No. 2 pick and build his franchise in the 2023 NHL Draft.
“We are very pleased to have Leo under a five-year contract,” said Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek. “We’ve viewed Leo as a franchise player from the moment we met him before the 2023 draft. He’s a playmaker on and off the ice. Leo is considered the best player in the league, and it’s always been our goal to match any proposal page.”
In 201 regular season games, Carlsson recorded 141 points (61 goals and 80 assists). In his first playoff game, Carlsson had 11 points (four goals and seven assists) in 12 games. It’s clear that Leo Carlsson is an important part of the Anaheim Ducks organization going forward.
“Matching the offer sheet was an easy decision, as Pat wisely left enough cap space to give us the ability to keep Leo,” said Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli. “We have high expectations for Leo. We strongly believe he will continue his strong growth trajectory and become one of the league’s top centers, while continuing to make a significant impact in our community.”
NHL Rumors: How much will Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier make in Anaheim?
As Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong told reporters Wednesday, the offer sheet is a tool in the CBA. There are no hard feelings between Mammoth and the Devils, and Carlsson told the media that there is none between him and management. It is an agreement that 99% of the population would sign.
Leo Carlsson: “It was a proposal that 99% of people signed too. It’s a very simple answer. I really wanted to be here. I really wanted them to be the same. I want to be an Anaheim Duck.”@SportingTrib | #FlyTogether
— Zach Cavanagh (@ZachCav) July 9, 2026
The Ducks are excited to have Leo Carlsson back in Anaheim. Carlsson is excited to be back in Anaheim. Now the job begins for GM Pat Verbeek. Now he has to extend RFA forward Cutter Gauthier and clear cap space to make the new AAV work for next season.
?Night Cap Recap ?
Anaheim Ducks Match Leo Carlsson Offer Sheet #flytogether #letsgoflyers pic.twitter.com/xKE3mPwR87
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) July 9, 2026
But there was never any doubt that Verbeek wouldn’t fit the bill Philadelphia offered.
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