Philly's offer sheet stands at five years, $90 million ($18 million AAV). The Ducks have the opportunity to match it, drastically cutting into their $35 million in cap space, but it would make Carlsson the highest-paid player in the NHL on an annual basis.
Most of the money would be made in signing bonuses each season, with the first year being almost $20 million in bonus money and $850k in base salary.
Anaheim had previously stated that it would be 'guaranteed' that they'd match any offer sheet tendered to Carlsson. Now they have seven days to match the offer, or else Carlsson will head to the Flyers, losing their young star player.
In other words, the Flyers forced the Ducks' hand. Now, whether it was intentional or not is up for debate.
The Flyers traded Cutter Gauthier to the Ducks back in January 2024 after he refused to sign with Philly. Should the Flyers land Carlsson, they'll be bringing on a 21-year-old center who posted 29 goals and 38 assists in 70 games last season, a key piece in the Ducks' playoff run.
According to insider Kevin Weekes, the Ducks were looking to sign both Gauthier and Carlsson to contracts in the $10 million to $12 million AAV range prior to the Flyers making their move.