It seemed to be a quiet Friday before Independence Day tomorrow in National Hockey League circles. A few signings, but nothing major. However, the Flyers’ decision to offer sheet Anaheim center Leo Carlsson with a massive five-year, $90 million contract sent shockwaves through the hockey world. The general consensus is that the Flyers made a bold move in trying to land the prized young center. But not everyone was on board with the decision. We take a look at what some various people around the hockey universe and those “experts” had to say regarding the news.
Dave Pagnotta, Daily Faceoff
In a short YouTube hit, Pagnotta stated the Flyers were mulling such an offer sheet for the last 10 days, and some believed it was going to happen over last weekend during the NHL Draft in Buffalo. “If things don’t work out for them in other areas, is this an avenue to pursue, and clearly for them, they felt it was,” Pagnotta said, adding that Carlsson wasn’t blindsided by the offer sheet but agreed to the contract himself.
“This is definitely shaking things up across the league, players I’ve talked to, executives I’ve talked to, are surprised that we’re coming in here at a $90 million offer sheet.”
PHLY
Charlie O’Connor — in an “emergency” PHLY podcast — was short and to the point. “Y’all wanted a big move,” O’Connor quipped to those watching. “This is Danny Briere’s attempt to make a big move. It doesn’t get much bigger than this.” He added he wasn’t sure if the Flyers would land him or not given the amount of money needed and a club that isn’t huge in terms of generating revenue. “At the very least, they have to think about not matching,” he added. “There is literally no other way to put it, so I’m just going to come out and say it. This is a little bit of a dick-measuring contest. It really is. There is an element to this where if Verbeek caves, then Danny Briere is the toughest MFer in the room. And I don’t know if Verbeek is going to be willing to allow that to happen. But I don’t think the Flyers don’t make the offer sheet if they don’t think there’s a chance.”
Steve Dangle
“If you look at the offer sheet package and you give up those four firsts, they’re mortgaging the future,” Dangle opined in a short YouTube clip, taking it from the viewpoint that Anaheim could not match. “Well you’ve already got Tyson Foerster who is 24. Porter Martone, who is 19. Alex Bump, who is 22, Matvei Michkov is 21 and I assume he’s going to bounce back. Jett Luchanko is 19. Unsigned draft picks like Jack Nesbitt and Brek Liske….”
Dangle also added that essentially the Carlsson deal was a no-win situation for Anaheim and Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek. If they match, the contract will provide a lot of hurdles in securing other key young players on the Ducks roster. If they don’t, then they lose their top center.
Frank Seravalli
Frank Seravalli saw some of the similarities between the Carlsson offer sheet and the offer sheet Philadelphia general manager Paul Holmgren made Nashville’s Shea Weber in 2012 (14 years, $110 million). The difference is that while both deals appear to be front-loaded, Anaheim’s ownership seems to have the funds to withstand the chunk of cash Carlsson is lined up for on his next contract. However he also said how it served as a warning for general managers who decide to play hardball with their younger prospects come negotiating time.
“It’s also a reminder for the Ducks that negotiating as hard as they typically do – grinding every player to a stump with their leverage – might feel good in the moment, but could cost you dearly in the long run,” he wrote. “The best way to not be subject to an offer sheet is to get the player signed last summer or in the middle of last season. Because even if they’re keeping Carlsson, their future is jammed up with the highest paid player in the league (AAV) in key RFA years where had Verbeek/Solomon swallowed hard and “overpaid” it would still be paltry to $18 mil. What’s that saying? Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”
Jason Gregor
Edmonton-based writer Jason Gregor said it might not be the best decision for Philadelphia should Anaheim not match it.
Gregor replied to another tweet by asking if the Flyers could win with one player making that much money in the salary cap era as it hasn’t been done yet.
Adam Wylde (Steve Dangle Podcast Network)
Adam Wylde, one of the co-hosts of the Steve Dangle Podcast, mentioned how much business both the Flyers and Ducks have done in recent memory, from the Zegras trade and the transaction which sent Jamie Drysdale to Philadelphia for William Gauthier. Wylde was curious whether or not Briere has burned that bridge with this offer sheet. “Wonder if they ever do business again? lol,” Wylde wrote. In a subsequent tweet, the host added he just recorded a podcast where he, Dangle and Jesse Blake were critical of Briere for making the “we might take a step back” comment earlier this week. The recording was prior to news of the offer sheet.
The Athletic
In a thoughtful piece weighing the pros and cons behind the move, The Athletic’s Harman Dayal could see the upside in trying to get Carlsson, even if it’s considered a hefty overpay for a young, talented forward. “For the Flyers, though, overpaying is worth it to potentially land the talent,” Dayal said. “Philadelphia desperately needs a No. 1 center for its young core. They’re absolutely loaded with skilled wingers such as Porter Martone, Trevor Zegras (he mostly played wing), Travis Konecny, Tyson Foerster, Owen Tippett and Matvei Michkov, and coach Rick Tocchet has turned them into an excellent defensive team. But their top-six center situation has been one of the worst in the league.
“It’s next to impossible to land No. 1 centers via trade or free agency, especially one as young and high-potential as Carlsson, and drafting one is an enormous long shot too because the Flyers are too good to collect top-five picks moving forward. With that context in mind, Carlsson is worth the overpayment, especially when you think of how terrifying he and Martone would be together.”
Here are some other takes from Friday’s news:
Like we said on #MvsW this week: Whether or not the Flyers get Carlsson, Keith Jones and Danny Briere can basically walk around to the nWo theme in the eyes of fans.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) July 3, 2026
It’s such an easy PR win for a GM. Worst case, an attempt was made. Best case, you get Leo F’n Carlsson
Also echoing similar sentiments was former Sportsnet analyst Jeff Marek, who lauded the Flyers and especially Briere for having the stones to try and make something happen to improve their team.
This all day.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) July 3, 2026
Fans want to see their GM's working to make their team better using every tool available.
I always cringe when I hear 'offer sheets don't work so I'm not going to use one'.
Even if they don't work every time it's important you show people who have the nerve to… https://t.co/O4NTWcjMIW
