NHL season kicks off: Carlsson stays in Anaheim as US stars leave Canadian teams
As the NHL's 2026-27 season begins, two storylines dominate — Leo Carlsson's decision to stay with the Anaheim Ducks after a summer offer-sheet saga, and a growing trend of American-born stars leaving Canadian franchises.
The season begins
The NHL's 2026-27 regular season opens Tuesday, September 30, according to The Guardian. The Anaheim Ducks will start their campaign Friday on the road against the Vegas Golden Knights, a rematch of last year's playoff series, according to Yardbarker.
Carlsson's summer drama
Ducks forward Leo Carlsson had an eventful offseason. In early July, the 21-year-old Swedish center signed a five-year offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers carrying an $18 million average annual value through the 2030-31 season, briefly making him the league's highest-paid player. The Ducks matched the offer a week later, securing Carlsson long-term. In a letter to fans on NHL.com, Carlsson said he always wanted to stay in Anaheim but found the offer hard to refuse. According to agent Ryan Keator (via NHLRumors.com), roughly eight teams expressed interest, four seriously, with two submitting formal offer sheets — one of them Philadelphia. Carlsson also said he faced negative comments on social media during the process but that it didn't affect him. Last season he posted 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 points, helping the Ducks reach the playoffs for the first time in eight years, advancing to the second round.
American exodus from Canada
Meanwhile, a broader pattern has emerged across the league: several American-born stars have recently left Canadian teams. Quinn Hughes was traded from Vancouver to Minnesota in December, Matthew Tkachuk left Calgary back in 2022, and his brother Brady departed Ottawa for Florida this summer. Detroit captain Dylan Larkin has also requested a trade and, per TSN, is reportedly unwilling to consider any Canadian destination. Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has requested a trade and is currently suspended for failing to report to training camp; he has said he faced online threats after winning Olympic gold with the US team. The Guardian and The Globe and Mail cite factors ranging from tax considerations to a desire to play for contenders, though not every American star is leaving — Toronto captain Auston Matthews and Montreal's Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson have committed to their Canadian teams long-term.
