# Flyers lock core, Carlsson signs with Ducks

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/philadelphia-flyers-goalie-dan-vladar-extension
> Updated: 2026-08-05T10:41:23.000Z. Sources: 84. Developments: 15.

The Flyers have continued to lock down their core. After extending forward Trevor Zegras to a four‑year, $36.5 million deal and signing defenseman Jamie Drysdale to a four‑year, $26 million contract, the club added a long‑term deal for starting goaltender Dan Vladar. Negotiations in mid‑June led to a five‑year extension worth $27.5 million (about $5.5 million AAV), which was officially announced on June 28. A day later the Flyers announced an eight‑year, $56.8 million contract for forward Tyson Foerster, further cementing the forward group.

In early July the Flyers submitted a record‑setting five‑year, $90 million offer sheet for restricted‑free‑agent centre Leo Carlsson, an $18 million AAV that would make him the highest‑paid player in NHL history. The Anaheim Ducks matched the offer on July 8, tying Carlsson to the same contract and leaving the Flyers without their targeted top‑line centre. On August 4 the Ducks completed the signing, confirming Carlsson’s five‑year, $90 million deal with a large signing bonus; the 21‑year‑old posted 67 points last season and is now the league’s highest‑paid player.

With the centre vacancy still open, the Flyers are focused on integrating their newly secured core pieces while exploring trade or acquisition options to fill the gap ahead of the next season.

## Claims

- Anaheim Ducks signed Leo Carlsson to a five‑year, $90 million contract. (disputed by 3 sources)
- Philadelphia Flyers submitted an offer sheet to Leo Carlsson, requiring the Ducks to respond. (disputed by 3 sources)
- The Ducks have approximately $9 million of salary‑cap space remaining. (disputed by 3 sources)
- Leo Carlsson's annual salary is $18 million, the highest in NHL history. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- If the Ducks do not match the offer sheet, Leo Carlsson would be transferred to the Flyers in exchange for four first‑round draft picks. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Carlsson contract has raised projected annual salary for Cutter Gauthier to $16‑17 million. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Cutter Gauthier played 76 regular‑season games, scoring 69 points, and appeared in 12 playoff games at a point‑per‑game pace. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Mikael Granlund is under a $7 million contract for two more seasons. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-05: Philadelphia Flyers extend contracts of goalie Daniel Vladař and forward Trevor Zegras

The Philadelphia Flyers signed goalie Daniel Vladař to a five‑year, $27.5 million extension through 2032 and forward Trevor Zegras to a new deal making him the team's highest‑paid player, as both aim to boost a

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/philadelphia-flyers-extend-contracts-of-goalie-daniel-vlada-and-forward-trevor-zegras

### 2026-08-04: Leo Carlsson signs $18 million contract with Anaheim Ducks

Leo Carlsson, the 21‑year‑old Swedish forward, signed an $18 million‑per‑year contract with the Anaheim Ducks after they matched the Flyers’ offer sheet, making him the NHL’s highest‑paid player for next season

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/leo-carlsson-signs-18-million-contract-with-anaheim-ducks

### 2026-07-27: Anaheim Ducks face salary‑cap crunch after record Leo Carlsson contract

Anaheim Ducks' $90 M, five‑year deal with Leo Carlsson ( $18 M/year) strains their salary cap, sparks a Flyers offer sheet, and raises Cutter Gauthier’s projected salary to $16‑17 M.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anaheim-ducks-face-salarycap-crunch-after-record-leo-carlsson-contract

### 2026-07-17: Philadelphia Flyers sign Jamie Drysdale to four-year $26 million contract

The Philadelphia Flyers signed defenseman Jamie Drysdale to a four‑year, $26 million contract (AAV $6.5 M) through 2029‑30, avoiding arbitration. Drysdale posted a career‑high eight goals and 32 points in 2025‑

22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/philadelphia-flyers-sign-jamie-drysdale-to-four-year-65m-contract

### 2026-07-17: Anaheim Ducks match Flyers' $90 M offer to retain Leo Carlsson

The Flyers' $90 M offer for Leo Carlsson was matched by the Ducks, keeping him on the roster and tightening the Ducks' salary cap, affecting other contracts like Cutter Gauthier’s demand.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anaheim-ducks-match-flyers-90-m-offer-to-retain-leo-carlsson

### 2026-07-14: Philadelphia Flyers sign Trevor Zegras to four‑year $9.125 M per‑year contract

The Flyers signed forward Trevor Zegras to a four‑year, $36.5 M extension (AAV $9.125 M), avoiding arbitration and making him the team's highest‑paid player after a career‑best season.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nhl-confirms-zegras-stays-with-ducks-drysdale-to-flyers-as-contract-talks-settle

### 2026-07-12: Leo Carlsson signs historic $90M offer sheet, becomes NHL's highest-paid player

Leo Carlsson signed a five‑year, $90 million offer sheet with an $18 million AAV, becoming the NHL’s highest‑paid player after the Flyers’ offer was matched by the Anaheim Ducks; agents say they waited for the

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/leo-carlsson-signs-historic-90m-offer-sheet-becomes-nhls-highest-paid-player

### 2026-07-10: Philadelphia Flyers look for new center after losing Leo Carlsson offer sheet

The Flyers' offer sheet for Leo Carlsson was matched by the Ducks, leaving them centre‑starved. Trade options like Dylan Cozens, Matty Beniers, or waiting for the market are being examined.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/philadelphia-flyers-seek-new-center-after-leo-carlsson-offer-sheet-rejected

### 2026-07-08: Anaheim Ducks match Flyers' offer, retain Leo Carlsson as NHL's top earner

The Anaheim Ducks matched the Flyers’ five‑year, $90 million offer sheet for 21‑year‑old center Leo Carlsson, giving him an $18 million AAV and making him the NHL’s highest‑paid player; the contract runs to 203

36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/philadelphia-flyers-extend-18-millionayear-offer-sheet-to-leo-carlsson

### 2026-07-06: NHL offer sheets for Barrett Hayton and Leo Carlsson trigger cap and trade talk

The Devils and Flyers have placed offer sheets on Barrett Hayton and Leo Carlsson; analysts expect Utah to match the Hayton offer and Anaheim to match the Carlsson deal despite tight cap space.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nhl-offer-sheets-for-barrett-hayton-and-leo-carlsson-trigger-cap-and-trade-talk

### 2026-07-04: NHL Free Agency 2026: Jets Sign Three, Flyers Target Carlsson with Record Offer

The Winnipeg Jets signed three free agents, while the Flyers offered a record contract to Leo Carlsson; rumors also link Patrick Kane to Buffalo and Jason Robertson to Pittsburgh.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nhl-free-agency-2026-jets-sign-three-flyers-target-carlsson-with-record-offer

### 2026-07-03: Philadelphia Flyers' $90 M offer sheet for Leo Carlsson spurs NHL contract scramble

The Flyers offered Leo Carlsson a five‑year $90 M contract, forcing the Ducks to match or lose him for four first‑round picks, sparking league‑wide RFA contract speculation.

31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/philadelphia-flyers-tender-90-million-offer-sheet-to-ducks-center-leo-carlsson

### 2026-06-30: Philadelphia Flyers lock in Tyson Foerster and Dan Vladar with long‑term contracts

The Philadelphia Flyers signed Tyson Foerster to an eight‑year deal, Dan Vladar to a five‑year extension, and re‑signed Carl Grundström to a one‑year contract.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/philadelphia-flyers-resign-carl-grundstrom-to-oneyear-deal

### 2026-06-28: Philadelphia Flyers agree five-year extension with goalie Dan Vladar

The Philadelphia Flyers will lock up goalie Dan Vladar on a five‑year, $5.5 million per‑year extension through 2032 after his strong 2025‑26 season and playoff performances.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/philadelphia-flyers-agree-five-year-extension-with-goalie-dan-vladar

### 2026-06-15: Philadelphia Flyers Near Long-Term Extension for Goalies Dan Vladar

The Flyers are finalising a five‑year, mid‑$5 million per‑year extension for goalie Dan Vladar, pending official signing on July 1.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/philadelphia-flyers-near-long-term-extension-for-goalies-dan-vladar

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Cite as: Flyers lock core, Carlsson signs with Ducks. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/philadelphia-flyers-goalie-dan-vladar-extension