Flyers tender record offer sheet to Ducks center Leo Carlsson that would cost Philly four first-round picks

Jackie Spiegel, The Philadelphia Inquirer on Jul 3, 2026

Published in Hockey

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

PHILADELPHIA — It is the dawn of a new era in the NHL, and the Flyers are officially among the trailblazers.

A few short hours after watching the next generation wrap up development camp with a spirited and competitive three-on-three tournament, the Flyers announced they are a major player for today’s stars with the signing of Leo Carlsson to an offer sheet.

The offer is a five-year contract worth an average annual value of $18 million. According to a league source, it is front-loaded with a heavy signing bonus. It would make Carlsson the highest-paid player in terms of AAV in the NHL. Anaheim has seven days to match the offer. If they do not, the Flyers would have to transfer their own first-round draft pick in each of the next four seasons as compensation. The two teams could also elect to work out a trade for the Swedish center ahead of Anaheim’s deadline.

Carlsson, 21, is a 6-foot-3, 208-pound center for the Anaheim Ducks and is viewed around the league as a budding star. The restricted free agent is coming off his entry-level contract.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft, Carlsson had 29 goals, 38 assists and 67 points in 70 games this past season. Four of his goals and 18 of his points came on the power play. He added another four goals and 11 points in 12 playoff games.

A former teammate of Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale — who are both restricted free agents and due new contracts — Carlsson has 141 points (61 goals and 80 assists) in 201 career games.