local
Anaheim Ducks keep Leo Carlsson, matching Flyers' $90 million offer sheet for young center
By Greg Beacham, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 9, 2026
· 5 min read
The Anaheim Ducks have matched the Philadelphia Flyers' offer sheet for center Leo Carlsson, keeping their rising young star at an extraordinary cost.The Ducks announced their decision Thursday on the 21-year-old Carlsson, who is now the NHL's highest-paid player under the five-year, $90 million ...
Key takeaway The Ducks announced their decision Thursday on the 21-year-old Carlsson, who is now the NHL's highest-paid player under the five-year, $90 million deal extended by the Flyers one week ago.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The Anaheim Ducks' decision to match the Philadelphia Flyers' offer sheet for Leo Carlsson has significant implications for the team's roster-building efforts in the Western Conference. With Carlsson's new contract worth $90 million over five years, the Ducks will be spending close to the limit of the $104 million salary cap next season. This could compromise their ability to make moves in the free agent market and retain other key players. As a result, general manager Pat Verbeek will face increased pressure to make savvy decisions with the limited resources available. The Ducks' success in ending their seven-season playoff drought was seen as a step towards becoming a future contender, but Verbeek's handling of Carlsson's contract negotiations has raised questions about his ability to manage the team's young talent. The upcoming season will be crucial in determining whether the Ducks can build on their recent success despite the challenges posed by Carlsson's new contract.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Anaheim Ducks have matched the Philadelphia Flyers' offer sheet for center Leo Carlsson, keeping their rising young star at an extraordinary cost.The Ducks announced their decision Thursday on the 21-year-old Carlsson, who is now the NHL's highest-paid player under the five-year, $90 million ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Greg Beacham, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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