Leo Carlsson signs historic $90M offer sheet, becomes NHL's highest-paid player

On July 3 the Philadelphia Flyers announced a five‑year, $90 million offer sheet for 21‑year‑old center Leo Carlsson, featuring an $18 million average annual value. The deal immediately made Carlsson the NHL’s highest‑paid player, surpassing Kirill Kaprizov’s previous record.

The Anaheim Ducks matched the offer on July 9 after criticism for waiting, citing the need to retain their No. 1 center and avoid losing him for four first‑round picks. Carlsson’s agents explained they had turned down earlier proposals, including an eight‑year, $84 million contract, to gauge the market and secure a front‑loaded deal that provided significant signing‑bonus cash.

Analysts note that the new contract could reset the salary market, with players such as Quinn Hughes, Cale Makar, Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard projected as potential future candidates to exceed Carlsson’s $18 million AAV within the next few years.