It’s rare for an offer sheet to be submitted in the NHL. Yet this year, with the center market thin in free agency, two teams are now having to consider matching some massive offers at the center position. The Anaheim Ducks are facing down a 90 million dollar contract offer sheet for center Leo Carlsson from the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Utah Mammothh are weighing their options with Barret Hayton.

If Carlsson does move to the city of brotherly love, it’d cost the Flyers not only the cap space, but their next four first round picks. The Flyers are looking to get more competitive after their first round playoff exit last year. Adding the young centerman would certainly make them better down the middle, but parting with four first round picks in addition to having to dole out an 18 million dollar AAV could handicap their future.

We have tendered an offer sheet to Anaheim center Leo Carlsson. The offer is a five-year contract worth an average annual value (AAV) of $18M, which would require four of the Flyers first-round draft picks in each of the next four seasons as compensation. https://t.co/nfhD4h6nEc

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) July 3, 2026

For the Ducks and GM Pat Verbeek, it’s a hard pill to swallow either way. Either they let him walk for picks, or they pony up 39 million dollars in the next year for his services since the Flyers contract structure frontloads his bonuses, and then make him the highest paid NHL player in history.

What it all means will be hard to say until it’s over, but it certainly highlights just how valuable Dylan Larkin’s current contract is, and how much the landscape of the NHL’s salary market has changed in the last few years.

It’s fun canvassing the league on what #FlyTogether Pat Verbeek might be thinking.

“Easy match, but it jams up their cap. Wonder if 3 years was a more potent offer.” – one GM

“I think Pat takes all four picks and works out a deal to go after Dylan Larkin.” -another GM

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— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 3, 2026

Signing Detroit’s own premium RFA, Simon Edvinsson, should get bumped up Steve Yzerman’s priority list a little at the least.

Red Wings Extra

The Red Wings hosted three intriguing Russian players at prospect development camp this year. It’s hard to say whether they’ll ever make the jump across the sea, but Detroit has a good history with them when they actually do. It may have been four, if not for the Dmitry Buchelnikov trade. Though, Buchelnikov by all indications appears to be staying in the KHL.

In Case You Missed It

Kevin Allen explains the Red Wings current position in the offseason market landscape.

Viktor Arvidsson should be playing a high minute role with the Red Wings. Bob Duff.

Around Hockey Now

William James theorizes the Flyers could leverage a trade to ensure Carlsson ends up in Philly.

Colorado Hockey Now- Aarif Deen writes on how the unfolding situation effects a possible Cale Makar extension this offseason.

Dan Kingerski writes on why the Penguins should join the city across the state and start making offer sheets.