The Philadelphia Flyers have made a bold move by presenting a five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Leo Carlsson. If the deal goes through, the 21-year-old would become the highest-paid player in the NHL salary cap era, earning an average annual salary of $18 million—surpassing Kirill Kaprizov, whose current contract carries a $17 million annual value.
The offer now puts the Anaheim Ducks in a difficult position, as they have seven days to decide whether to match it and retain Carlsson. Should Anaheim decline, Philadelphia would acquire the young center but would also have to send its first-round draft picks from each of the next four NHL Drafts as compensation.
Philadelphia Flyers Submit Five-Year, $90 Million Offer Sheet for Ducks Star Leo Carlsson
The Philadelphia Flyers have intensified their pursuit of Leo Carlsson by handing the 21-year-old a five-year, $90 million offer sheet worth an annual average of $18 million. Under NHL rules, the Anaheim Ducks now have seven days to decide whether to match the deal. If they decline, Philadelphia will receive Carlsson while surrendering its first-round picks in each of the next four NHL Drafts as compensation. The contract is heavily front-loaded and includes substantial signing bonuses.
Carlsson enjoyed a breakout campaign last season, recording 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 points in 70 regular-season games before adding 11 points in 12 playoff appearances as Anaheim reached the second round. The Swedish center, selected second overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, has already totaled 141 points, including 61 goals and 80 assists, across 201 regular-season games with the Ducks. However, matching the offer would significantly tighten Anaheim’s salary cap situation as the club still needs to negotiate new deals with restricted free agents and strengthen its roster.
The move marks the second NHL offer sheet issued since free agency opened on July 1 and is the Flyers’ biggest such gamble since their unsuccessful attempt to sign Shea Weber in 2012. If completed, Carlsson’s $18 million average annual salary would surpass the $17 million cap hit of Kirill Kaprizov, making him the highest-paid player of the NHL salary cap era. Kaprizov’s current deal had previously overtaken the contract signed by Leon Draisaitl in annual value, while Alex Ovechkin still holds one of the league’s most valuable contracts by total value.
Who Are the Highest-Paid NHL Players Right Now?
- Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild) – Left Wing – $17,000,000 AAV
- Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) – Center – $14,000,000 AAV
- Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights) – Center – $13,500,000 AAV
- Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) – Center – $13,250,000 AAV
- Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) – Center – $12,604,000 AAV
- Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) – Center – $12,500,000 AAV
- Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets) – Left Wing – $12,000,000 AAV
- Mitch Marner (Vegas Golden Knights) – Right Wing – $12,000,000 AAV
- Mikko Rantanen (Dallas Stars) – Right Wing – $12,000,000 AAV
- Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks) – Center – $11,600,000 AAV
Note: Positions 7, 8, and 9 are tied, with Kyle Connor, Mitch Marner, and Mikko Rantanen each earning an average annual salary of $12 million.
