In the aftermath of Leo Carlsson staying put with the Anaheim Ducks, the team that tried to poach the forward is clearing the air.
“We understood this outcome was possible when we made the offer,” Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere said through a statement on Friday. “While the result isn’t what we hoped for, our goal does not change — we remain committed to pursuing every opportunity that will strengthen our team and continue to build towards becoming a consistent and perennial contender without sacrificing our future.”
Carlsson, after failing to come to an extension agreement with Ducks GM Pat Verbeek throughout the 2025-26 season, signed a record five-year, $90 million offer sheet with the Flyers through restricted free agency last week, an offer the Swede said “was just too good to pass on.”
Ultimately, Verbeek and the Ducks matched the offer and kept the 21-year-old with the team that drafted him second overall in 2023.
Verbeek reiterated to reporters Thursday that there are no hard feelings with Carlsson, and the ability to sign offer sheets is a right outlined in the CBA.
“Being a former player, there’s always an excitement to have a chance to determine your destiny,” Verbeek said. “This is a CBA right they have, and I don’t at any point begrudge them, you know, taking that route.”
With the new deal, Carlsson is now the NHL’s highest-paid player, earning an average of $18 million annually.
Ducks owner Henry Samueli said he didn’t hesitate to make the hefty financial commitment.
“Matching the offer sheet was an easy decision, as Pat has intelligently left enough cap space to give us the ability to retain Leo,” Henry and Susan Samueli said in a statement. “We have extremely high expectations for Leo. We firmly believe he will continue his strong growth trajectory and become one of the truly elite centres in the league while continuing to make a strong impact in our community.”
Carlsson was the No. 2 choice in the 2023 draft behind Connor Bedard, and has since emerged as one of the NHL’s top young playmakers.
Although he didn’t produce points at a rate commensurate with his new salary during his first three seasons, Carlsson appears to possess the potential to become one of the best centres in hockey.
He scored 67 points in 70 games last season despite being limited for a lengthy stretch by a leg injury, and he added 11 points in 12 games during his first postseason experience.
“I’m going to grow as a player, too,” Carlsson said. “I’ve done that every year so far. Trying to get away from these slumps I’ve been having during seasons. Trying to stay at the highest level I can all season long.”
Carlsson is in line to become an unrestricted free agent when this contract ends in 2031, putting him in line for another massive payday at just 26 years old.
–with files from The Associated Press