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Ducks Match Offer, Sign Carlsson to $18 M Deal

7/25/2026

32 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Ducks matched Flyers’ offer sheet, signing Leo Carlsson to $18 million per-year for 2026-27.
The match cost Anaheim four first-round draft picks.
The contract leaves the Ducks with $9.073 million cap space, creating a parity issue with restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier.
Analysts say Carlsson’s $18 million AAV makes him the NHL’s highest-paid player for 2026-27.

History

Historical Context

The 2004-05 lockout ended on July 13 2005 when the NHL and NHLPA signed a new CBA that imposed a $39 million salary cap—about $1.5 million per player. Commissioner Gary Bettman and the players’ union built cap-driven contract rules that still shape deals. In 2024 the Anaheim Ducks matched the Philadelphia Flyers’ $18 million-per-year offer sheet for Leo Carlsson, sacrificing four first-round picks.

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Story summary

Ducks matched Flyers’ offer sheet, signing Leo Carlsson to $18 million per-year for 2026-27.
The match cost Anaheim four first-round draft picks.
The contract leaves the Ducks with $9.073 million cap space, creating a parity issue with restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier.
Analysts say Carlsson’s $18 million AAV makes him the NHL’s highest-paid player for 2026-27.

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