Leo Karlsson Signs Major Contract with Philadelphia Flyers

The Anaheim Ducks have accepted the Philadelphia Flyers’ five-year offer sheet for Leo Karlsson. This contract, which approaches a striking average of $18 million annually, starts right away and extends through the 2030-31 season.

At just 21, Karlsson now holds the title of the highest-paid player in the NHL.

“It was an easy decision to match the offer sheet,” said Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli. They noted that general manager Pat Verbeek wisely kept enough cap space to retain Karlsson. “We have very high expectations for Leo. We firmly believe he will continue to grow and establish himself as one of the league’s elite centers, while also positively impacting our community.”

Karlsson made quite an impression last season, playing 70 games and racking up 67 points. His 29 goals marked the second-most for a Ducks player aged 21 or younger in a single season.

Verbeek expressed satisfaction over the contract, stating, “We are very happy to have signed with Leo. From the moment we met him before the 2023 draft, we recognized him as a franchise player. He embodies character both on and off the ice. Leo is viewed as one of the top players in the league, and matching the offer sheet was always our plan.”

The Ducks drafted Karlsson as the second overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Since then, he has played 201 games in the NHL, accumulating 141 points.

During the postseason, he scored 11 points in 12 games, leading all NHL players under 21 in both points and assists. Although he was selected to represent Sweden in the upcoming 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, he withdrew due to injury. He previously donned the Swedish jersey in two World Championships and the 2025 Four Nations Championship.