On the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, chatter tied to Gauthier’s negotiations surfaced. One source noted that Gauthier “will not be taking one dollar less than what Leo Carlsson took,” signaling a potential hard-line stance from the winger’s camp.
The situation has prompted projections about when a resolution might come. Rumors circulated that the standoff could carry into the middle of the season, with one insider recounting a line about meeting again in January. There was discussion about whether Carlsson’s contract should be the benchmark for Gauthier, and whether Gauthier’s production could justify a number around or above a certain threshold.
Earlier in the summer, Anaheim matched Philadelphia’s five-year, $90 million offer sheet for Carlsson, elevating the team’s average annual value to $18 million and making the 21-year-old the highest-paid player by AAV in the league.
Leo Carlsson’s deal has reshaped the Ducks’ negotiating dynamics. Gauthier enters negotiations after a breakout 2025-26 season in which he posted 41 goals and 69 points in 76 games. Carlsson tallied 67 points in 70 games, plus 11 points in 12 playoff appearances. Both players were central to ending Anaheim’s seven-year playoff drought.
For general manager Pat Verbeek, the challenge extends beyond price. With Carlsson’s deal matched, Anaheim has just over $9 million in available cap space, which could force additional roster moves if Gauthier commands the massive extension his camp is reportedly seeking.
There was speculation about unconventional strategies, such as an offer sheet, though opinions differed. One analyst suggested Anaheim pursue such a route, while another dismissed the possibility, noting that an offer sheet could only come from another team after next summer.
Gauthier’s strong 41-goal season provides clear leverage for his side. Yet Carlsson’s contract was the product of a relatively rare offer-sheet battle rather than a conventional negotiation. Anaheim must balance rewarding another core player with maintaining flexibility for future extensions and roster development.
