NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 4, 2026
The Flyers sign Ducks center Leo Carlsson to an offer sheet. Check out the reaction and the possibility of more to come, along with the rest of the notable news of the past 24 hours in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
THE FLYERS SIGN LEO CARLSSON TO AN EXPENSIVE OFFER SHEET
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Philadelphia Flyers signed Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson to a five-year offer sheet on Friday worth an average annual value of $18 million.
Carlsson, 21, is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. He’s the Ducks’ first-line center, finishing second in scoring with a career-best 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 points in 70 games. He also finished second among their postseason scorers with 11 points in 12 games.
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (NHL Images)
The $18 million AAV will make Carlsson the highest-paid player in the NHL for 2026-27, eclipsing Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov’s $17 million AAV.
It’s up to the Ducks to decide if they’ll match the offer. They have seven days from the date of Carlsson’s signing to do so. Otherwise, they’ll receive four first-round draft picks from the Flyers. Those picks will be those belonging to the Flyers in each of the next four seasons. They cannot send the Ducks any first-rounders that they acquire from another team.
The Ducks have the salary cap space ($35 million) to match the offer. Doing so will leave them with just over $17 million in cap space, with restricted agent winger Cutter Gauthier and defenseman Pavel Mintyukov still to be re-signed.
Gauthier is ineligible to receive an offer sheet, but Mintyukov can sign one. According to PuckPedia, several teams have approached the latter’s agent about an offer sheet. It appears one could be formally made, leaving Mintuykov to decide whether to accept it.
Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek tried to warn off his peers by claiming his club would match any offer for Carlsson. Flyers GM Daniel Briere called his bluff, giving Verbeek a week to decide if he will do so. The Flyers need a first-line center for their young roster and see Carlsson as a perfect fit.
The Ducks and Flyers have a recent trade history. Gauthier’s unwillingness to join the Flyers prompted the trade that sent him to the Ducks in January 2024 for defenseman Jamie Drysdale. Last June, the Flyers acquired winger Trevor Zegras from the Ducks for a package that included center Ryan Poehling.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Something tells me there won’t be any future trades between these two clubs for a while.
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens believes the Ducks have no choice but to match the Flyers’ offer for Carlsson.
Doing so would be paying Carlsson much more than the Ducks had originally hoped to sign him for. TSN’s Chris Johnston indicated that the deal is front-loaded with signing bonuses paying Carlsson $19.95 million for 2026-27, $18.1 million in 2027-28, $17.05 million in 2028-29, $15.2 million in 2029-30, and $15 million in 2030-31.
It will also affect the Ducks’ efforts to re-sign Gauthier and Mintyukov, pushing the AAVs on their next contracts much higher than expected. That will use whatever remains of their cap space, leaving nothing to fill the remaining holes in their roster and in-season cap flexibility.
Nevertheless, Stephens argues that not matching would be much worse. The value of the draft picks they’ll receive as compensation will lessen if the Flyers continue to improve. The Ducks will be without a first-line center for the foreseeable future. Even if they use those first-round picks as trade bait to address that need, finding a suitable option could be difficult, especially if their potential targets have no-trade protection.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The last time any team signed a player to an expensive offer sheet was in the summer of 2012, when the Flyers (!) inked Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators to a 14-year, $110 million offer sheet, which the Predators matched. That contract finally expired at 11:59 PM on June 30.
It’s a bold move by Briere, one that could be costlier than the big bite it will take out of the Flyers’ salary-cap payroll if the Ducks decline to match the offer.
Carlsson has established himself as a first-line center with the potential to become a superstar. However, he hasn’t yet reached the level where he deserves to be the league’s highest-paid player in terms of AAV. That’s going to have a wide-ranging effect on the cost of signing every comparable young NHL player, including those of the Flyers going forward (hello there, Matvei Michkov, if he has a significant bounce-back performance this season).
Another factor is the possibility that Carlsson struggles to adjust to a new club in one of the NHL’s bigger markets under a much harsher spotlight than he’s faced in Anaheim. He’ll definitely feel the pressure to meet the expectations that come with that massive annual cap hit.
If Carlsson adjusts quickly and meets those expectations, this signing could be remembered as the moment when the Flyers became a powerhouse. If he falters, it will be seen as the beginning of the end of Briere’s tenure as general manager.
For the Ducks, some folks believe this is karma biting Verbeek for his years of playing hardball with restricted free agents such as Drysdale, Zegras, and Mason McTavish, all of whom no longer play for the Ducks. They feel Verbeek could’ve avoided this had he signed Carlsson to a lucrative new contract on July 1 instead of trying to play the waiting game.
The Ducks are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. Most observers expect they’ll swallow hard and match the Flyers’ offer. Doing so will definitely screw up their salary cap for this season and complicate efforts to re-sign Gauthier and Mintyukov, especially if the latter signs an offer sheet. Letting Mintykov go will weaken their already thin blueline for this season.
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Ben Pope examined how the Carlsson offer sheet could affect the Blackhawks’ contract negotiations with center Connor Bedard. Like Carlsson, the 21-year-old Bedard is an RFA coming off his entry-level contract.
Pope doesn’t expect Bedard to sign an offer sheet. He pointed to several factors, including the latter’s desire to remain with the Blackhawks and his near-constant communication with GM Kyle Davidson. Nevertheless, even if Bedard doesn’t sign an offer sheet, Carlsson’s new contract will push up the price of re-signing the young Blackhawks star.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bedard’s next contract isn’t the only one that could be affected this summer by the Carlsson offer sheet.
Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars could be an offer sheet target, as he recently rejected an eight-year contract offer worth $15 million annually from the Seattle Kraken as part of an attempted sign-and-trade deal. Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets could be a tempting option for clubs looking for a young first-line center.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen speculated that Carlsson’s contract could have some effect on next summer’s crop of unrestricted free-agent superstars such as Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carlsson’s $18 million AAV is now the benchmark for Makar and Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes. Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning is a little older than Makar and Hughes, but could definitely make the case to exceed $18 million annually after winning the Art Ross Trophy for the third time and the Hart Trophy for the second time.
IN OTHER NEWS…
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Forward Jamie Benn, 36, will return for another NHL season. The long-time Stars captain signed a one-year contract with a base salary of $850,000, with an additional $1.15 million in performance bonuses.
TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs signed winger Gavin McKenna to a three-year entry-level contract. McKenna, 18, was the first-overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft.
NEW YORK POST: Madison Square Garden executive chairman and CEO James Dolan is handing over the day-to-day ownership responsibilities of the Rangers to his son, Quentin.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins signed Hendrix Lapierre to a two-year contract worth an AAV of $1.3 million. Lapierre, 24, was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. The Penguins acquired him in a trade with the Washington Capitals on June 25.
TSN: The Utah Mammoth signed defenseman Andrew Peeke to a one-year, $1 million contract. Peeke, 27, was an unrestricted free agent coming off a three-year contract worth an AAV of $2.75 million.
Heh – 3 days ago in one of the threads there was a discussion about the “offer sheet” provision where I posted “the provision was put there for a reason … GMs naturally want to see their team win every game, especially in-Division, and feel little or not pity if they clobber an in-Division team while doing so … Go for the jugular … it’s your job that’s on the line if your team doesn’t perform up to expectations – not the other guy’s – so do what you think it takes to solidify YOUR team and let him worry how to avoid losing one of his performing assets with the only return being future prospects!
Well, it might not have been in-Division – or even in-Conference – but I think that the Carlsson signing of that whopping offer, closely on the heels of the one signed by Barrett Hayton with NJ. could be a sign that more might follow as GMs figure it’s high time to say “Nuts to the “gentleman’s agreement.”
https://www.nhl.com/news/top-nhl-restricted-free-agents-available-2026
Let the sparks fly!
Whoops – forgot that Drysdale just signed a new deal
Not according to Puckpedia. He’s still listed as unsigned. There were recent reports they were working on a new deal, but nothing yet.
https://puckpedia.com/player/jamie-drysdale
That’s because there’s been a lot of change. Elliotte Friedman pointed out several, including the rising salary cap expected to reach over $130 million by the end of this decade. Most of the “old school” general managers are gone, with a different generation willing to take more risks. The pickings in the annual UFA market keep getting slimmer, making the offer sheet option more enticing.
So, who’s the best bet to get one next?
C – Connor Bedard – Chicago
C – Adam Fantilli – Columbus
C – Cole Perfetti – Winnipeg
C/LW – Trevor Zegras – Philadelphia
LW – Igor Chinakov – Pittsburgh
LW/C – Cutter Gauthier – Anaheim
LW/C – Connor McMichael – St. Louis
LW – Jason Robertson – Dallas
RD – Jamie Drysdale = Philadelphia
RD – Simon Nemec – Calgary
LD – Simon Edvinsson – Detroit
LD/RD – Alexander Nikishon – Carolina
LD Braden Schneider – NYR
G – Jett Greaves – Columbus
G – Arturs Silovs – Pittsburgh
G – Akira Schmid – Florida
I’d love to see someone offer-sheet Drysdale
Not all those players are actually offer sheet eligible but it’s still exciting that offer sheets seem less taboo.
Double-checked – you’re right Chrisms – but only where 3 are concerned – Cutter Gauthier, Alexander Nikishin and Jamie Drysdale )who I had forgotten just signed a new deal).
And now Lyle says “hold the phone … it isn’t a done deal yet …” on Drysdale
Briere opened a pandora’s box! If he gets Leo, he will have difficulty signing his own RFA’s of Zegas and Drysdale. Maybe someone offer sheets them!
Jz
In July 2026, the Philadelphia Flyers signed defenseman Jamie Drysdale to a four-year contract extension carrying an annual average value (AAV) of $6,250,000. The new deal locks in the 24-year-old blueliner through the 2029-30 NHL season
Plus Zegras has a qualifying offer so worst case is this kicked down the rd a season.
1st have much lower value when it is in bottom of the 1st. So Philly thinks that is where they will be Ballsie move but I like it
Mrbruin4 – Drysdale not finalized yet – see Lyle’s post above
Now this is the offseason excitement we’ve been waiting for!
Verbeek goes from GM of the Year candidate to being between a rock and a hard place because he’s “gotta play hardball”.
I think this also shows how the value of first round picks is perceived to be lower than in years past. Firsts were given away like candy at Halloween before the draft. Now this.
Chrisms: Picks that are expected to be in the lower half of the first round don’t seem to have the value they once did. Teams still hang onto those in the top 10, which is why so many trades involving first-round picks carry that stipulation of “top-10 protected”.
True. But the flyers 4 1sts won’t carry that protection. Two top ten picks were moved this year as well which seems unusual
One thing for sure … looks like the Flyers are determined to be King Of The Hill in Pennsylvania while Dubas waffles.
As a fan of the western team I love this move for the flyers. I hope Anaheim doesn’t match.
Somehow, I just don’t see bringing in, through free agency or trade, Andrei Kuzmenko, Nick Robertson, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Hendrix Lapierre and Declan Carlile as needle-moving transactions.
Am I the only one who likes what Dubas is doing in Pittsburgh?
Maybe likes isn’t the best word……but they have my attention.
Montreal is constructing their team the same way Boston built around Bergeron. No one makes too much.
Hughes was Bergerons agent and close friend. He knows what it takes to build and foster a real team.
Also very concerning from my chair.
Great job by Sweeney in this exciting off-season.
Excellent timing in keeping ones powder dry until it’s worth using.
The cap in two years is projected at $113.5 million. Salaries are based on percentages of cap. I believe a max of 21-22% for a single player. Looking at it that way Carlsson is only 16%.
McDavid could be in the $23 million range using the same math
Sticker shock for sure . But everyone’s cap hits are going up.
In about 6 days and if the Ducks Match they had better get after Minty next or he could go down the same road .
Remember it takes two to tango
What ever happened to the bridge deal ?
I am enjoying the fireworks of this off season, but the next time the agreement with the NHLPA comes up for renewal/renegotiation, as a GM (or a player not named McDavid, Celebrini, etc…) I’d argue to lower the top salary from 20% of the cap to maybe 16%. It would allow a team to keep their stars without gutting the roster, and more money to go around for every other player.
I might also add that once a team actually loses a player to an offer sheet that it needs to be until the end of the next season before they can be offer-sheeted again. That way they don’t lose multiple players and gut a team that is on the rise. I am not a Verbeek fan (as a GM), but if he gets gutted this year, that’s not fair to the fans on Anaheim.
This doesn’t work. This means a player loses out on their ability to maximize their earnings because their teammate got to it first? It’s incumbent on the gms to plan to avoid said situation.
That Carlsson offer sheets just screwed over every GM trying to gauge value of their unsigned players. Fortunately for the Ducks they will be shedding Kreider and Killorn’s contract after this season giving them about $12 mil
Verbeek may get out of this with his skin. But other GMs will learn from his mistakes.
Verbeek needs to match the offer sheet. Whoever gets him, will screw up their own salary cap for the foreseeable future.
Flyers also see how the Eastern Conference top teams are aging and builing a core to win in a few years is the way to go-
Buffalo, Montreal and Washington seem to be teams that will still have good cores in 2-3 seasons. Carolina is a mix of ages…. Florida and Tampa are in their windows
the rest of the EC is not great .
Flyers with Leo ,Michkok and Martone is nice start
The Ducks have to match though and deal with signing their other 2 RFA kids
You say thank you for the picks. Learn from your mistake of not having Rfa signed earlier. Gm needs to not be a hard baller.
Ducks are not one of the owners that can afford those high bonuses that are in the contract.
My thoughts:
Carlsson isn’t worth 18 million. Say goodbye. And even if he blossoms he will not by himself turn the Flyers into a powerhouse. Besides, does a team want to risk 18 million on one player getting hurt?
I don’t believe this prompts Makar or other high end players to squeeze their teams. McDavid realized that he had to take less than Kaprizov to give the Oilers a chance. The Habs have had several players sign team friendly contracts because they want to win.
Anaheim and Philadelphia are both able to pay the money and stay under the cap.
Briere knows everything we know ++++
He has gamed out the signings, Drysdale is done at $6.2, Zegras needs to be signed, meaning Ristolainen will go.
What’s Zegras supposed to settle for?
What will Michkov and Martone want?
Anaheim can match, but what will they pay Gauthier? He doesn’t have arbitration rights but he isn’t averse to waiting for what he wants.
They can juggle to fit in whatever for the top guy, the question becomes what do you pay the rest of your core and more importantly can you afford the right complementary pieces.
That’s a roundabout way of saying a team needs chemistry to win and setting 1% situation doesn’t lend itself to harmony, just like in society at large.
BTW no issue with Carlsson accepting the offer.
I take the 4 picks and let him walk, it gives them 2 1st round picks for each of the next 4 years before trades.
HF30: Brier knows everything …
I know you were exaggerating to make a point, which I agree with. But it is worth noting the risk that Brier is at least twofold: whether Carlsson proves worth the cap hit, and the downstream consequences for his ability to sign his own players and UFAs.
I understand there were more teams bidding on Carlson. I wonder who they were and what they offered?
Gauthier has already proven he will play hardball from the start by refusing to sign with team that drafted him and forcing a trade. It’s pretty unlikely that he’ll be settling for less than Carlsson is getting in his next contract unless he takes a massive step backwards.
Habfan30 – Drysdale deal apparently not finalized yet – see Lyle’s post above – which means he can still be offer-sheeted – maybe he and his agent are putting down the pens for now to see what crops up?
Heh GM BA looking real smart in AZ/Utah….signing Cooley to 10 and even less for Guenther…. combined they make less than Leo and on his own Cooley out produced Leo. Probabky a better recipe for long term winning.
The greed shown by gobbking up all the cap from a guy who isn’t even a point a gome? Ouch
If this is how it went down that the Nurse deal fell thru and Sweeney did a pivot to Borgan Why didn’t the Bruins chase after Braden Schneider RD … RFA 6’4” 215 lbs a legit top 3 Dman
Joe I really Don t think there is a big difference between the 2. My guess is that the compensation for Schneider would have been much steeper.
Let’s not forget the bonus structure that Briere orchestrated in the contract.
Paying out that money in lump sums is not something every team/owner can or is willing to do.
Being wealthy doesnt automatically mean you have 20 mil that is easily accessible to. To pull those funds together quickly especially for the first payout that would not be planned for, may come at a cost higher than they are willing to pay. Just pointing out there is more to this decision than just accepting the high cap hit.
Fascinating.
In future signings, regardless of a successful offer sheet, we’ll all have to thank the Flyers for grossly overpricing the market for every player in the league.
Has the team offering the offer sheet ever come out better having that player they signed one to?
I don’t think it overprices the market for every player, just the top tier talent. Third and fourth liners are going to get nickel-and-dimed to compensate.