News - The Anaheim Ducks have signed Leo Carlsson to a historic contract.

In a bold move, the Anaheim Ducks have secured forward Leo Carlsson by matching an unprecedented offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers. Carlsson has signed a landmark five-year contract worth $90 million, setting a new NHL record with an average annual salary of $18 million. This makes him the highest-paid player per season in the league, surpassing other top talents. The 21-year-old Carlsson, fresh off his entry-level contract, expressed his enthusiasm about remaining with the Ducks, stating his strong desire to continue his career in Anaheim despite the lucrative offer from the Flyers. "It was an offer that 99% of people would sign, too. It's a pretty simple answer," Carlsson noted. "I really wanted to be here though. I really wanted them to match. I want to be an Anaheim Duck." Under the terms of his new contract, Carlsson remains untradeable for one year and will become an unrestricted free agent at the contract's conclusion in 2031. Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek emphasized Carlsson's importance to the team: "We are very happy to have Leo under contract for five years. We have viewed Leo as a franchise player since the moment we met him prior to the 2023 draft. He's a character person on and off the ice. Leo is viewed as a top player in this league, and it was always our intention to match any offer sheet." The Ducks' ownership, Henry and Susan Samueli, echoed Verbeek's sentiments, expressing their high expectations for Carlsson's future contributions both on the ice and within the community. Carlsson has shown notable performance improvements, recording career-high numbers in goals, assists, and overall points last season. Since being picked second overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, he has amassed 141 points in his 201-game NHL career, showcasing his rising star potential. With the offer sheet decision now finalized, the Ducks avoided losing Carlsson in exchange for four first-round picks from the Flyers, solidifying their intent to keep him as a cornerstone of their team in the coming years.