Ducks match $90 million offer sheet for Leo Carlsson

The Anaheim Ducks have retained franchise center Leo Carlsson, announcing on Thursday, July 9, that they matched a five-year, $90 million offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers. The contract carries an average annual value of $18 million, making the 21-year-old the highest-paid player in NHL history, surpassing Kirill Kaprizov's $17 million deal.

Carlsson, a restricted free agent after completing his three-year entry-level contract, signed the Flyers' offer sheet following protracted and ultimately unsuccessful negotiations with Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek. The Ducks had until Thursday to decide whether to match the deal, which would have netted them four first-round draft picks from Philadelphia had they declined. Team owners Henry and Susan Samueli stated that matching the offer sheet was an easy decision, expressing high expectations for Carlsson to become an elite center.

The record-setting contract significantly impacts Anaheim's salary cap situation. According to cap projections, the Ducks now have approximately $9 million in cap space. The team still needs to sign fellow restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier, who led the club with 41 goals and 69 points last...