Leo Carlsson Admits the Truth About Nearly Leaving the Ducks

Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet situation with Philadelphia is one of those things that sounds simple on the surface. Who wouldn’t take $18 million? But the more you hear how he describes it, the more it becomes a mix of emotion and business. He basically says he really, really hoped the Ducks would match the offer. Not because the Flyers offer suddenly made him want to leave, but because he still wanted to be a Duck long-term. That part matters a ton when you’re talking about your family and your whole life off the ice too.

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For Carlsson, the Offer Sheet Was Too Much Money to Ignore

At the same time, Carlsson is also pretty clear about the financial reality. The offer sheet was just too good to ignore. He frames it as the kind of money that almost everyone would sign without overthinking. That said, it’s easy for fans to focus on the headline and act like it’s a straightforward “take the money and run” story.

But what Carlsson is describing sounds more like this: the offer sheet process is a negotiation track. The process means agents talk, there are behind-the-scenes conversations, and once the number is that high, you have to take it seriously. That’s especially true when it’s framed as a chance you can’t really pass up.

He also talks about the Ducks wanting him to stay, and about conversations during the season and “good conversations” leading up to it. That matters because it helps show this wasn’t some random blindside with no relationship between sides. Still, the Ducks matching was never guaranteed. As a result, there’s always that difficult part emotionally: what if they don’t match?

For Carlsson, There Were Mixed Feelings About Signing

He says he was doing a lot of thinking, and it was a special feeling mixed with questions, because even if you prefer one outcome, you have to be ready for whatever happens when negotiations run their course.

The bottom line is that, no matter how you cut it, an offer sheet can shake up trust, at least for a moment. He basically answers it by sticking to the idea that business is business, and everyone supported him through the decision. And in the bigger picture, offer sheets can also mess with how teammates and the locker room feel afterward. It’s not only about the player choosing money—it’s about what the process signals.

In Carlsson’s case, though, his whole tone was that the decision was about what was offered. But his heart still hoped the Ducks would match and keep him where he wanted to be.

Related: Ducks Match Record-Setting Offer Sheet, Keep Leo Carlsson.