The Anaheim Ducks have matched the Philadelphia Flyers' offer sheet for restricted free agent center Leo Carlsson, securing him with a five-year, $90 million contract.
The deal, announced Thursday, carries an average annual value of $18 million through the 2030-31 season, making Carlsson the highest-paid player in the NHL.
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The contract includes nearly $40 million in bonuses during the first year.
Ducks' Commitment to Carlsson
Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli said matching the offer sheet was an easy decision, noting that General Manager Pat Verbeek had left enough cap space to retain the 21-year-old center.
"We have extremely high expectations for Leo," the Samuelis said.
"We firmly believe he will continue his strong growth trajectory and become one of the truly elite centers in the league."
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Carlsson set career highs last season with 29 goals and 67 points in 70 regular-season games. He also led all NHL players under 21 with 11 postseason points.
"We are very happy to have Leo under contract for five years," Verbeek said.
"We have viewed Leo as a franchise player since the moment we met him prior to the 2023 draft."
Verbeek added that it was always the team's intention to match any offer sheet for Carlsson, whom they consider a top player in the league.
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According to CapPedia, retaining Carlsson leaves Anaheim with roughly $10 million in salary cap space, which could complicate upcoming contract negotiations with unsigned forward Cutter Gauthier.
