Anaheim Ducks face offer sheet on center Leo Carlsson

The Philadelphia Flyers submitted a five-year, $18 million offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson, according to ESPN. The Ducks now have until the end of their exclusive negotiating window to match the offer or allow the player to leave in exchange for four first-round draft picks.

Contract structure and cap implications If the Ducks match, the team would commit roughly $18 million annually to one player while still needing to address other roster needs. If they decline to match, the club would receive four first-round selections but lose its top young center.

The offer sheet includes $83.5 million of the total $90 million value paid as signing bonuses that cannot be bought out. The structure follows recent market trends for young restricted free agents amid a rising salary cap.

Prior negotiations and market timing The Ducks held an exclusive negotiating window with Carlsson for several months but did not reach an agreement. In January, team officials stated contract talks had been paused so players could focus on the playoffs.

Carlsson previously indicated during a player interview that he would accept an eight-year deal at a $9.5 million annual cap hit. The current offer exceeds that figure and reflects increased demand for young centers. The Ducks have previously allowed several restricted free agents to reach free agency without long-term extensions, resulting in those players departing the organization.