The outcome was somewhat predictable, so when Anaheim matched the Flyers’ offer sheet for Leo Carlsson on Thursday, it didn’t take too many people by surprise, least of all Philadelphia general manager Daniel Briere.
The GM knew when he signed Carlsson to a five-year, $90-million contract proposal there was a good chance the Ducks were going to match rather than opt for four first-round draft picks.
Anaheim’s decision to match on Thursday left the Flyers disappointed but Briere vows to keep searching for personnel to make his team better.
“We understood this outcome was possible when we made the offer,” said Briere in a statement released by the Flyers on Friday morning.
“While the result isn’t what we hoped for, our goal does not change. We remain committed to pursuing every opportunity that will strengthen our team and continue to build toward becoming a consistent and perennial contender without sacrificing our future.”
With a salary of $18 million per year, Carlsson becomes the highest-paid player in the National Hockey League.
Meanwhile, there is a belief that while the Flyers might not make another big splash in this type of transaction this summer, they might still look at ways to improve their defense corps. That could include a possible trade.
As previously mentioned in a Thursday story, the Flyers’ failed attempt to secure Carlsson should leave some salary space open to re-sign players such as Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale.
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