The Ducks would retain less than $10 million in salary-cap space after matching Leo Carlsson’s five-year offer sheet carrying an $18 million average annual value.
Cap arithmetic dictates immediate trades
Matching the offer sheet leaves the Ducks with less than $10 million of salary-cap space for the 2026-27 season.
Eric Stephens reported that this figure would make it difficult to re-sign left winger Cutter Gauthier on comparable terms.
Gauthier posted a team-leading 41 goals and 69 points in his final entry-level season.
Gauthier’s lack of arbitration rights gives general manager Pat Verbeek leverage to negotiate below Carlsson’s figure.
Even so, Gauthier is unlikely to accept less than $10 million annually.
The Ducks can place Troy Terry on long-term injured reserve at the start of the season for temporary relief.
Terry’s expected return in December still requires the club to clear additional cap room.
RFA ripple effects reach other teams
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman noted that the Carlsson offer sheet could influence how the San Jose Sharks approach Macklin Celebrini’s extension this summer.
Celebrini enters the final year of his entry-level contract at age 20.
The salary cap rises to $113 million for 2027-28, pushing the maximum salary to $22.6 million.
Friedman suggested the Sharks may urge Celebrini to accept less than the league maximum to avoid becoming an offer-sheet target next July.
The Carolina Hurricanes have explored using an offer sheet to acquire Simon Edvinsson.
The Red Wings have already set aside $12 million to retain the 23-year-old defenseman.
Replacement options remain limited
If the Ducks decline to match, they must locate a first-line center replacement.
Stephens floated Detroit’s Dylan Larkin, who has reached his statistical ceiling at age 29.
Larkin is not on the Ducks’ permitted three-team trade list.
New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal was also mentioned, though no trade discussions have been confirmed.
The Hurricanes’ separate pursuit of Edvinsson would also require moving Jesperi Kotkaniemi and his $4.25 million cap hit.
Teams that successfully sign a player via offer sheet face no one-year trade restriction, unlike teams that match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.