Anaheim Ducks fans have been waiting for someone to step up and lead the franchise forward. After matching Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet and making him the highest-paid player in NHL history by average annual value, the team is betting everything on the 21-year-old Swede delivering. And if you ask the Tkachuk brothers, that bet is a smart one.
Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, the star forwards for the Florida Panthers, went all-in on Carlsson during a recent episode of their Wingmen podcast. Brady said Carlsson’s $18 million per year deal isn’t just fair — it’s cheap by future standards.
“It’s not an overpay whatsoever. Unbelievable player, comes as advertised. $18 million’s probably going to be an underpay. That’s how good this player is. That’s a well-deserved price where this game’s going,” Brady said on the podcast.
Matthew doubled down, comparing Carlsson’s value to a king’s ransom in draft picks. “He’s worth like eight first-rounders. It’s definitely one of those types of deals that kind of changes the outlook for everybody else in the NHL for years to come.”
That’s high praise from two guys who, combined, make less than Carlsson will over the next five seasons. Brady is making just over $8.2 million per year right now, and he’s only 12 months away from being eligible to sign an extension. Matthew is at $9.5 million per season with four years left on his Panthers deal. With the salary cap climbing, both brothers will be looking at massive raises on their next contracts.
Carlsson’s playoff run turned heads
Carlsson earned this payday with a breakout 2025-26 season, putting up 67 points in 70 regular-season games. But it was his playoff performance that really grabbed the league’s attention. He added 11 points in 12 postseason games as Anaheim pulled off a stunning upset of the then-defending back-to-back Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers in six games.
The Ducks eventually fell to the Vegas Golden Knights in six games — Vegas came within two wins of the Stanley Cup — but the run showed Carlsson can handle the pressure of big moments. He looked like the best player on the ice for long stretches.
Anaheim’s roster will look different next season. Jacob Trouba, Radko Gudas, John Carlson and Mason McTavish are all gone, which means even more responsibility falls on Carlsson to carry the load. The team hasn’t been this dependent on one player in years.
Brady Tkachuk also touched on the bigger picture of offer sheets in the NHL, something that used to be an unspoken taboo around the league.
“You just don’t see it that often. You had two this summer. It’s just great. I know the cap’s rising and I feel that every team’s mindset has changed. There was always an unspoken ‘don’t do that,’ but it’s all about just making your team better,” Brady said.
If the Tkachuk brothers are right, Anaheim might have gotten a bargain — even at $18 million per year. Only time will tell if Carlsson can live up to the richest contract in league history.
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