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Ducks Match $90 M Offer Sheet, Keep Leo Carlsson

7/11/2026

30 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Ducks Match Offer

Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek matched the Flyers' five-year, $90 million offer sheet for center Leo Carlsson on July 10, 2026, keeping him under the same contract.
The match leaves the Flyers with $30 million in cap space, preserves four first-round picks, and follows the July 3, 2026 offer by GM Danny Brière.
With Carlsson gone, the Flyers are eyeing centers like Adam Fantilli or Dylan Larkin but say they will not use another offer sheet.

Summary

Ducks Sign Carlsson

Ducks signed Carlsson, prompting owners Henry and Susan Samueli to expect community impact.
Carlsson said he wanted to be a Duck and relationship with Ducks GM Pat Verbeek remains despite dispute, with Verbeek affirming his feelings have not changed since drafting him.
Flyers GM Daniel Brière said the team remains committed to pursuing opportunities, marking the third year Flyers have chased a Ducks player after attempts in 2024 and 2025.

History

Historical Context

The 2004-05 NHL lockout began on September 16, 2004, cancelled the season on February 16, 2005, and forced a July 13, 2005 agreement that introduced a hard $39 million salary cap linked to league revenue. That cap created the offer-sheet tool used today, as the Ducks and Flyers clash over Leo Carlsson’s $90 million, five-year deal.

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Ducks Match Offer

Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek matched the Flyers' five-year, $90 million offer sheet for center Leo Carlsson on July 10, 2026, keeping him under the same contract.
The match leaves the Flyers with $30 million in cap space, preserves four first-round picks, and follows the July 3, 2026 offer by GM Danny Brière.
With Carlsson gone, the Flyers are eyeing centers like Adam Fantilli or Dylan Larkin but say they will not use another offer sheet.

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