The Philadelphia Flyers have captured attention with an aggressive move, offering Anaheim Ducks’ restricted free agent Leo Carlsson a massive five-year contract with an average annual value of $18 million. This figure would make Carlsson the highest-paid player in the NHL, whether he joins the Flyers or the Ducks match the offer.
Brady Tkachuk, a well-known player for the Florida Panthers, expressed that acquiring the 21-year-old center’s services at this salary could be a smart investment. On the ‘Wingmen’ podcast, Brady and his brother, Matthew Tkachuk, discussed the implications of the offer sheet.
“Eighteen million is not an overpay whatsoever,” Brady Tkachuk said, a sentiment echoed by Matthew. “Unbelievable; he comes as advertised. Eighteen million is probably going to be underpaid. That’s how good this player is.”
The Tkachuks might have a point, especially with the salary cap projected to increase. Future stars like Macklin Celebrini from San Jose and Connor Bedard from Chicago might surpass Carlsson’s contract when their new deals are due.
Anaheim faces a challenge more about cap space than the player’s value. If General Manager Pat Verbeek thought Carlsson wasn’t worth $18 million annually, the offer sheet wouldn’t exist. Their predicament arises from having just under $18 million in projected cap space before re-signing defenseman Pavel Mintyukov, which left only around $9 million available.
Additionally, the Ducks must plan for extensions for future restricted free agents like Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke, complicating their decision to match Carlsson’s offer. They have until Friday to respond, and should they opt not to match, they will receive an array of first-round picks from the Flyers as compensation.
This move by the Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere has undeniably stirred the NHL landscape, presenting the Ducks with a significant decision that could impact their team’s future roster and salary dynamics.