Kirill Kaprizov's average annual salary of $17 million was surpassed by Leo Carlsson's $90M offer sheet on July 4, 2026. The Philadelphia Flyers signed Carlsson to a five-year deal, making him the league's highest-paid player.
What happened?
The Anaheim Ducks have seven days to decide whether to match the Flyers' offer. If they choose not to match, the Ducks will receive one Philadelphia first-round pick in each of the next four seasons as compensation.
Why it matters for Kirill Kaprizov
Kirill Kaprizov's contract, signed in September, is no longer the richest in league history. Carlsson's deal provides a new benchmark for NHL salaries, potentially impacting the trade value of other players, including Dylan Larkin.
What comes next?
The Ducks' decision on Carlsson's offer sheet will have a significant impact on the team's future. If they choose to let Carlsson leave, they may use the compensation picks to acquire a top center like Larkin, who has a no-trade clause.
The Ducks made the playoffs this year under coach Joel Quenneville, finishing with a 43-33-6 regular-season record. They upset the Edmonton Oilers in the first round and lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round.
Dylan Larkin's average cap hit is $8.7 million for five more years, less than half of Carlsson's record-breaking salary. Larkin's value as a less-expensive center will likely be highlighted even more now.
Yzerman, the Red Wings' general manager, said there are "no guarantees" Larkin will be traded and will only move him if the Red Wings receive an appropriate return. Verbeek, the Ducks' general manager, worked under Yzerman for nearly 12 years and may use their relationship to negotiate a trade.
The Ducks have a deep talent pool, including young prospects like Cutter Gauthier, Beckett Sennecke, and Pavel Mintyukov. Carlsson, the second overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft, has produced 61 goals and 80 assists over 201 regular-season games for the Ducks.
On July 4, 2026, the NHL salary landscape changed with Carlsson's $90M offer sheet. The impact of this deal will be felt throughout the league, potentially affecting the trade value of players like Kirill Kaprizov and Dylan Larkin.
The Ducks' decision on Carlsson's offer sheet is expected to be made within the next seven days. The outcome will have a significant impact on the team's future and the NHL salary landscape.
The Red Wings and Ducks may engage in trade talks, with Larkin's name being mentioned as a potential target. The Ducks' young prospects and compensation picks make them an attractive trade partner.
The NHL offseason has been marked by significant moves, including Carlsson's $90M offer sheet. The impact of these moves will be felt throughout the league, shaping the future of teams like the Ducks and Red Wings.
The salary cap era, which began in 2005, has seen significant changes in recent years. Carlsson's deal is the latest example of the increasing salaries in the NHL, potentially affecting the trade value of players like Kirill Kaprizov and Dylan Larkin.