AP
  • Updated

The Anaheim Ducks have matched the Philadelphia Flyers’ offer sheet for center Leo Carlsson, keeping their rising star at an extraordinary cost. The 21-year-old Carlsson is now the NHL’s highest-paid player under the five-year, $90 million deal extended by the Flyers one week ago. Carlsson agreed to the offer sheet with the Flyers after a year of fruitless negotiations with Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek, whose hardline approach in contract negotiations with his young core backfired tremendously this time. Carlsson’s new contract is worth much more than anyone expected he would get as a restricted free agent.