Leo Carlsson is staying with the Anaheim Ducks after the team matched the Philadelphia Flyers' record five-year, $90 million offer sheet.
Interestingly, what many don’t realize is that the deal’s foundation was laid months earlier when Carlsson’s side quickly turned down Anaheim’s initial contract proposal.
The Anaheim Ducks had reportedly offered an eight-year extension worth $84 million with a $10.5 million cap hit. Carlsson's agents, Matt Keator and Ryan explained on Elliotte Friedman’s 32 Thoughts podcast that they passed on it almost immediately.
Notably, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek was aggressively pushing for talks in September and October, trying to get something done, but the 21-year-old Swedish center's agents preferred to step back and watch how things developed around the league.
They paused deeper talks after January so Carlsson could focus on the season. And fast forward to June, the group sat down with Leo and his family to map out their strategy, zeroing in on Connor Bedard’s contract as the clearest measuring stick.
Even after the season concluded, the Ducks kept pressing, but Carlsson’s camp stayed patient. Ryan Keator took the lead on the homework, but the big worry was signing too soon and missing out on what the open market might deliver.
Multiple teams reportedly were eying to land Leo Carlsson when free agency opened on July 1. However, it was the Philadelphia Flyers' offer that changed everything for Carlsson and his representatives.
The strategy of being patient and waiting for the right moment came to fruition when Carlsson signed the offer sheet on July 3. The Ducks had six anxious days to decide before ultimately matching the deal and keeping their young star in the town.
With $18 million AAV, the deal makes Leo Carlsson the highest-paid player in the NHL. It was an offer, understandably, no one would have said no to.
Carlsson spoke after the Ducks matched the Flyers’ offer, stating that he wanted the Ducks to match the sheet so that he could stay in Anaheim. In the end, it all worked out for both sides as the 21-year-old Swedish star got the deal he was looking for and, in return, the Ducks retained their franchise player.
Leo Carlsson came from the same draft class as Connor Bedard. He was drafted No. 2 overall by the Ducks in the 2023 NHL draft. Carlsson has been with the Ducks for the last three years and amassed a career-high 67 points (29 goals, 38 assists) last term.
It'll be intriguing to watch how Carlsson copes with the pressure that comes with his massive contract heading into the new season.
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