The big news on Thursday was that Leo Carlsson will remain a member of the Anaheim Ducks. Carlsson, a 21-year-old center, signed a five-year, $90 million contract with the Ducks after they matched an offer sheet tendered by the Philadelphia Flyers on July 3. The contract has an average annual value of $18 million, the richest in NHL history. Anaheim’s match came a day after the Utah Mammoth matched an offer sheet tendered to Barrett Hayton by the New Jersey Devils.
There was some other business done on Thursday.
The Pittburgh Penguins inked defenseman Tomas Galvas to a three-year entry-level contract Galvas, 20, was the second of the Pittsburgh’s two second-rounders at the draft in June, selected 54th overall. A late bloomer, Glavas put up eight goals and 24 points in 32 games last year with Liberec Bili Tygri HC of the Czech Extraliga. He amassed nine points in seven World Junior Championship games, and one assist in eight World Championship games.
Signing one-year, two-way deals worth $850K at the NHL level were forward Xavier Bourgault with the Ottawa Senators; forward Brett Berard with the Montreal Canadiens; forward Riley Duran with the Boston Bruins; defenseman David Spacek and forward Caedan Bankier with the Minnesota Wild; and defenseman Aleksi Heimosalmi with the Stanley Cup-champion Carolina Hurricanes.
The Charlotte Checkers will open up the 2026-27 campaign on the road with a visit to Hershey on October 3, marking the earliest start to a season in franchise history. Following a four-game trip through Hershey, Providence and Springfield, the Checkers play their home-opener at Bojangles Coliseum on October 16 versus the Hartford Wolf Pack.