​Leo Carlsson may have landed one of the richest contracts in NHL history, but the bigger challenge could lie in the glare that comes with it. Hockey Hall of Famer Chris Pronger believes the Ducks’ rising star is stepping into a situation similar to the one Darnell Nurse faced after signing his eight-year, $74 million deal. In Pronger’s view, blockbuster contracts alter how players are judged, making the salary as much a talking point as the on-ice performance.
Carlsson is officially staying with the Anaheim Ducks after the organization matched the Philadelphia Flyers’ five-year, $90 million offer sheet, but Pronger—a 2015 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee—thinks the contract signals the start of a different kind of challenge. While many focus on the record-setting pay, he argues the bigger test will be managing the expectations that come with being the NHL’s highest-paid player by average annual value.
“The Ducks have matched the offer sheet by the Philadelphia Flyers. Carlsson will stay a Duck,” Pronger said in a video shared on X, before explaining why the discussion should go beyond the contract itself. “My biggest thing is that now there’s a lot of pressure on Carlsson.” He added, “There’s going to be a lot of pressure, a lot of scrutiny, and a lot of notoriety on this young player.”
Pronger stressed that his comments aren’t a critique of Carlsson’s ability. Instead, he praised the 21-year-old’s long-term potential, calling him “a budding star” and adding, “The sky’s the limit.” He also noted that many fans overlook the serious thigh injury Carlsson battled during the 2025-26 season, saying people “don’t understand the injury he had last year… and how much that hampered him.” Despite those setbacks, Pronger pointed out that Carlsson still produced strong numbers before elevating his game in the playoffs, finishing with 67 points in 70 regular-season games and adding 11 points in 12 postseason contests.
To illustrate why the contract shifts the conversation, Pronger referenced Nurse, whose eight-year, $74 million deal has shadowed him throughout his career. “Let’s look at Nurse, for example,” Pronger said. “He had a career year… signs a massive contract for $9.25 million, and ever since he signed that, he’s been cast aside as overpaid.” He explained that the dollar figure often shapes how fans, managers, and outsiders value a player, rather than focusing on the role or value they actually provide to the team. He even admitted, “Sometimes we have to set that dollar amount aside, and it is incredibly hard. I fall into the same trap.”
Yet Pronger believes Carlsson has every chance to rewrite that narrative. “If this kid goes out and gets 110 or 115 points next year, for better SEO.” He envisions Carlsson seizing the moment and proving that a high salary doesn’t necessarily define a player’s worth, especially if he can translate that talent into sustained production and leadership.