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 Pearland
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 coming years. With Carlsson's new contract worth $90 million over five years, the Ducks will be operating at the limit of the salary cap, which is currently set at $104 million. This will likely compromise general manager Pat Verbeek's ability to make moves to improve the team, potentially hindering their chances of building on last season's second-round playoff run. The fact that the Ducks were forced to match the offer sheet after failing to negotiate a deal with Carlsson earlier highlights the challenges Verbeek faces in managing the team's young talent. As the Ducks look to establish themselves as a contender in the Western Conference, their ability to navigate the salary cap and make savvy roster decisions will be crucial.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland 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 Pearland 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 Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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