‘I really wanted them to match’: Ducks’ Leo Carlsson on offer sheet

While the drama is over in Orange County (for now), one of the Anaheim Ducks young studs states he received what he wanted all along.

When speaking to the media on Thursday, Ducks forward Leo Carlsson admitted that he is happy that the team matched the offer sheet he received, and eventually signed, from the Philadelphia Flyers. The contract was a five-year deal, with an incredible AAV of $18 million. The Ducks matched the offer earlier on Thursday, making Carlsson the highest-paid player in the NHL.

“It was an offer that 99% of people would sign, too,” Carlsson said. “It’s a pretty simple answer. I really wanted to be here, though. I really wanted them to match. I want to be an Anaheim Duck.”

Carlsson noted that any normal person wouldn’t pass up such a lucrative offer.

“It’s more like when you see that number, it’s hard to say no, which my teammates understand too, completely. They would’ve done the same thing.”

The Swedish star added that he had spoken with his teammates in Anaheim, who were all very supportive of his decision.

“It was just too good to pass on. I think everybody understands that, too. I talked to my teammates a lot, too, and everybody was just super happy for me and supportive with the decisions I made, too…I don’t think I had one bad reaction. They were all super happy for me or super stoked for me. They just said that I deserve it, and hope that I stayed.”

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek told reporters that “serious and fair offers” were made to Carlsson back in September, but as they closed in on free agency this summer, he felt something like this might happen.

“A few days before,” Verbeek said. “I felt like I was being slow-walked to July 1 and told ownership I felt like an offer sheet was coming our way.”

Verbeek, who selected Carlsson second overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, acknowledged his importance to the franchise as they continue to build toward becoming a legitimate contender.

“The day that we drafted him, we viewed him as a cornerstone. Leo and I have a great relationship. This whole thing has been worked through. My feelings for Leo haven’t changed since the day we drafted him.”

Carlsson has been an important figure in Anaheim’s lineup since his rookie season in 2023-24. This past year, he set career highs in goals (29), assists (38) and points (67), helping the Ducks reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in eight years. The team won its first postseason series since 2017, defeating the Edmonton Oilers, before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 2. The 21-year-old notched 11 points in 12 playoff contests.