Leo Carlsson played a pivotal role in the Anaheim Ducks’ 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, ending a five-game losing streak for the Ducks. Carlsson scored and assisted on the game-winning goal in a contest held in Philadelphia, the team that had attempted to sign him during the offseason.

Carlsson was nearly a member of the Flyers last summer, after Philadelphia extended him a record-setting five-year, $90 million offer sheet with an average annual value of $18 million. This offer was the highest in NHL history at the time. The Ducks matched the offer one day before the deadline, securing Carlsson through the 2030-31 season and retaining their draft picks that Philadelphia would have otherwise received as compensation.

Despite the significance of his near move, Carlsson said he did not feel much different facing Philadelphia, explaining that the focus had been on other players, particularly Cutter Gauthier. Gauthier, another player once with the Flyers, was involved in trade transactions between the two teams and remains a source of continued attention and tension among Flyers fans, who directed chants at him throughout the game.

The Flyers and Ducks have maintained a notable relationship over the past two years, exchanging several young talents. The Flyers acquired Jamie Drysdale in exchange for Gauthier and later added Trevor Zegras from Anaheim. However, it was the Carlsson offer sheet that drew the most attention given its unprecedented value and potential implications for both teams’ futures.

Carlsson, who was selected second overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, has shown consistent development since entering the league. After posting 29 points in his rookie season and 45 points in 2024-25, he reached career highs last season with 29 goals, 38 assists, and a total of 67 points in 70 games. His two-point performance on Saturday moved him to the top of the Ducks’ scoring list with 13 points, consisting of three goals and 10 assists.

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek acknowledged the unexpected size of the offer sheet but remained confident in Carlsson’s trajectory. “We’re very confident, with the cap going up and the ability of Leo to make strides of improvement and become an elite player, we feel confident this contract will be a good one in the end,” Verbeek said at the time the contract was matched.

Carlsson echoed his appreciation for the Ducks’ decision to retain him, emphasizing that while he could not refuse the offer, he hoped to continue developing his career in Anaheim.