Oh Sheet: Briere’s Offer Sheet Shows Willingness to Be Aggressive

In the hours leading up to the 4th of July, Philadelphia Flyers GM Danny Briere decided to make some fireworks of his own. How does a groundbreaking contract for one of the NHL’s budding stars sound.

Leo Carlsson, the second overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and a 21-year-old with a bright future, is about to become the NHL’s highest-paid player, one way or the other. A tendered offer sheet – five years with an $18 million AAV – was signed with the Flyers. The Anaheim Ducks have seven days to match. If they do not, the Flyers will send the next four first-round picks to Anaheim as compensation.

With the changing landscape in the NHL, this was the way for Briere to potentially get his long-coveted franchise center. Carlsson has all the tools to be a massive NHL success. Great two-way ability. Great skater. Tons of skill. A total package.

If the Flyers were to ultimately land his services, it transforms their entire offseason.

That part of this is a waiting game for now. But what can be said at present is that Danny Briere’s misstep in word choice at the end of his press conference on Day 1 of free agency can be firmly pushed aside.

Sure, there’s a very good chance that the Flyers don’t get Carlsson in the end. Anaheim had said all along that they would match any offer sheet on Carlsson.

But from Briere’s perspective, there’s no loss in trying. He has succeeded in getting Carlsson to sign. Carlsson has made clear he would want to play for the Flyers with that action. That’s enough of a victory for Briere for now.

Of course, if Anaheim matches, the Flyers are in the same position they were before from a roster standpoint. No top-line center. Still searching. And left with very little difference in the roster.

But in an offseason where there were next to no options on the free-agent market for centers, Briere tapped into the RFA market and took a swing.

That makes his “step back” line at the end of Wednesday’s presser feel like ancient history. And while earlier in the presser Briere said the door wasn’t closed on some things after a few hours of free agency, it was going to take action to prove it.

An offer sheet that will make Carlsson the highest-paid player in league history, set the market for future RFAs and superstars, change the very way players and agents approach contracts is certainly not standing on the sidelines and watching everyone else get better around them.

So now the waiting game begins for the Flyers to see if they get the top center they desire or if it’s back to the drawing board. But it sure added some flash to the Flyers’ offseason in the process.

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.