​Flyers general manager Daniel Briere took a bold swing for a premier center, but Anaheim Ducks owner’s matching of Philadelphia’s five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Leo Carlsson left the Flyers empty-handed. By matching the deal, the Ducks kept the 21-year-old rising star and created a modest but real cap challenge for Anaheim. The offer sheet carried an average annual value of $18 million, which not only makes Carlsson the highest-paid player in the NHL, surpassing Kirill Kaprizov’s $17 million on Minnesota’s side, but also would have cost the Flyers four first-round picks if the Ducks had chosen not to match.
Here’s the lay of the land on the Ducks’ decision to retain Carlsson: Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek is known for his hardball style in negotiations, delaying some restricted free-agent signings like Mason McTavish until training camp. Nevertheless, Verbeek said he attempted to finalize an agreement before July 1 and felt he had been slow-walked into the free-agent period. In a statement released by the Flyers on Friday, July 10, Briere acknowledged the potential for this outcome when the offer was made. “We understood this outcome was possible when we made the offer. 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.”
The question now is whether the Flyers have additional options to pursue another marquee, top-line center. Names that have surfaced in speculation include Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings, who is 29, and Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders, though Barzal’s move would likely be a long shot for Philadelphia. Verbeek indicated that the sizable offer sheet reshapes how the Ducks will handle future restricted free agents, signaling a new dynamic in their strategy.
The Flyers also have two arbitration hearings on the horizon for players they recently acquired from Anaheim, Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale. Zegras and Drysdale fielded salary-arbitration requests that begin July 20, though the schedule could see negotiations with the players beforehand. Zegras previously earned an average value of about $5.75 million per season, while Drysdale’s prior average was about $2.3 million, figures that will inform any arbitration discussions.
Verbeek expressed strong satisfaction with Carlsson’s return to the Ducks, noting, “We are very happy to have Leo under contract for five years.” He added that the Ducks had viewed Carlsson as a franchise player since their meeting with him ahead of the 2023 draft and stressed his character on and off the ice. Carlsson is viewed as a top player in the league, and Verbeek said it was always the Ducks’ intention to match any offer sheet.
From the owners, Henry and Susan Samueli, the message echoed confidence: “Matching the offer sheet was an easy decision, as Pat has intelligently left enough cap space to give us the ability to retain Leo. We have extremely high expectations for Leo. We firmly believe he will continue his strong growth trajectory and become one of the truly elite centers in the league, while continuing to make a strong impact in our community.”
As for the Flyers, their six-figure risk now translates into a strategic pause as they reassess their options, including whether to pursue another top center or pivot to a different avenue to strengthen their lineup. The Carlsson decision reshapes the market for restricted free agents and sets the stage for further moves in Philadelphia’s ongoing pursuit of a franchise-changing talent. The structure of Carlsson’s five-year deal, designed to maximize value while ensuring long-term commitment, will also influence how teams approach future offer sheets and negotiations. In the end, the Ducks’ read on Carlsson’s value—and their willingness to match—has locked in a rising star and prompted the Flyers to rethink their path forward in their bid to remain perennial contenders.