The Philadelphia Flyers are awaiting the Anaheim Ducks’ decision on whether or not they’ll match the offer sheet they placed on Leo Carlsson last Friday.

It’s as bold a move as we’ve seen around the NHL in quite some time, though according to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, GM Danny Briere originally had a different superstar target in mind whom he was prepared to throw massive money at: Kirill Kaprizov.

Friedman revealed as such during the latest epsiode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast:

“I’ll say this about Philly you know they’ve been building they’ve been building they’ve been building they’ve been adding some good players but they were like we need a star we need a difference maker… Like I had heard that if Kaprizov had hit the market this year Philly was gonna drop bags of cash on his house and I think Minnesota knew that. I think Minnesota knew that one of the reasons they did that is because they knew Philly would if they didn’t,”

The 29-year-old Kaprizov, of course, wound up signing an eight-year, $136 million contract extension with the Minnesota Wild that will begin next season (2026-27). He produced 89 points (45 goals, 44 assists) in 78 games played last season.

Philadelphia preparing to go all in on Kaprizov is a moot point now, but it’s still fascinating to learn that they were a major factor in Minnesota moving urgently to extend their superstar winger.

We’ll know soon enough whether the Flyers get the star they’ve been looking for in Carlsson, and if not, it’s fair to wonder what Briere might have up his sleeve next. Some have even speculated about another offer sheet, perhaps to a division rival in Adam Fantilli. Buckle up.

Next: Is Elias Pettersson Holding Up a Trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins?