Flyers prepare second massive offer sheet if Ducks match Carlsson deal

The NHL's free agency period had been relatively quiet heading into last Friday, but Daniel Brière and the Philadelphia Flyers shattered that calm with a move that sent shockwaves across the league.

Philadelphia officially submitted a monster offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks star center Leo Carlsson, a five-year deal worth $90 million that carries an average annual value of $18 million. That figure would make Carlsson the highest-paid player in the entire NHL.

The Ducks, reportedly blindsided by the aggressive maneuver, now have seven days to decide whether to match the offer and keep Carlsson in Anaheim at that staggering price, or let him walk and collect four first-round picks as compensation.

But the Carlsson offer sheet may only be the beginning of Philadelphia's summer offensive.

According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, the Flyers have a Plan B ready to deploy. If Anaheim matches the Carlsson offer, Philadelphia could pivot and submit another offer sheet to Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli.

Fantilli, still just 21 years old, was the third overall pick in the 2023 draft. The left-shot center enjoyed a strong 2024-25 campaign, registering 24 goals and 35 assists for 59 points across 82 games. He is currently a restricted free agent, which makes him eligible to receive an offer sheet.

There is also an interesting family connection at play. Portzline noted that Cam Brière, one of Daniel Brière's sons, works for the Blue Jackets organization in their video department. That wrinkle would add an awkward dynamic to any potential offer sheet aimed at Columbus.

The Flyers' willingness to weaponize the offer sheet process twice in the same offseason signals a franchise determined to accelerate its rebuild by any means necessary. Brière has clearly identified young, elite centers as the missing piece, and he appears willing to pay a premium to land one.

For the rest of this week, all eyes remain on Anaheim's decision regarding Carlsson. If the Ducks match, the dominoes could start falling in Columbus next, making this one of the wildest NHL summers in recent memory.