The Anaheim Ducks have officially matched a five-year offer sheet extended by the Philadelphia Flyers to center Leo Carlsson. This significant agreement sees Carlsson’s five-year contract, worth an average annual value (AAV) of $18 million, commence in the 2026-27 NHL season.
The deal is set to run through the 2030-31 campaign, securing a key player for the Ducks’ future. The decision to retain Carlsson underscores the organisation’s long-term vision for the Swedish talent.
Ducks Ownership and Management Back Carlsson
Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli confirmed that matching the offer sheet was an easy decision. They noted that General Manager Pat Verbeek had intelligently preserved enough cap space, allowing the club to retain Carlsson.
“We have extremely high expectations for Leo,” the Samuelis stated. They added, “We firmly believe he will continue his strong growth trajectory and become one of the truly elite centers in the league, while continuing to make a strong impact in our community.”
General Manager Pat Verbeek echoed this sentiment, expressing his satisfaction at having Carlsson under contract for five years. Verbeek commented, “We have viewed Leo as a franchise player since the moment we met him prior to the 2023 draft.”
He further described Carlsson as a character person both on and off the ice. Verbeek concluded, “Leo is viewed as a top player in this league, and it was always our intention to match any offer sheet.”
Carlsson’s Impressive On-Ice Impact
Carlsson, who is 21 years old and was born on 12th December 2004, recorded an impressive 29 goals, 38 assists, and 67 points with a +4 rating in 70 games for Anaheim during the 2025-26 season. This performance saw him achieve new single-season career bests in points, goals, and assists.
He led the Ducks in points per game with 0.96 and ranked second in overall points and goals. Carlsson also recorded 4 goals and 14 assists for 18 power-play points, placing him second on the team, and was tied for second in assists.
His 29 goals were the second-most in a single season by a Ducks player aged 21 or younger. Carlsson also became one of only three Ducks skaters all-time to achieve multiple 20-goal seasons before reaching 22 years of age.
In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Carlsson demonstrated his postseason capabilities, scoring 4 goals and 7 assists for 11 points with a +1 rating in 12 contests. He led all NHL players aged 21 and younger in postseason points and assists.
Carlsson co-led the Ducks in game-winning goals with two during the postseason. He also ranked tied for second among team leaders in points and was tied for third in goals.
Career Milestones and International Presence
Selected by Anaheim in the first round as the second overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Carlsson has played in 201 career NHL regular-season games with the Ducks. Across these games, he has accumulated 61 goals and 80 assists, totalling 141 points.
He holds the record as the youngest player in Ducks history to score 50 career goals after debuting with the franchise. Carlsson is also the youngest to reach 100 career points for the Ducks.
Furthermore, he stands as the youngest-ever Swedish-born NHL player to reach 100 career points. In the 2024-25 season, Carlsson scored 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 points in 76 games, placing him third among Ducks leaders in points.
With 20 goals, he became the first player in Ducks history to achieve this milestone at 20 years old or younger. During his rookie season in 2023-24, he recorded 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points in 55 games, which tied for the most goals by a teenager in Ducks history.
The Karlstad, Sweden native was named to Sweden’s Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026 roster. However, he did not appear at the tournament due to an injury. Carlsson has also represented his country at the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off and two World Championships, specifically in 2023 and 202.