Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Join the discussion about the Blues.

[Complete Blues coverage on STLtoday.com]

Moderators: STLtoday Forum Moderators, Blues Talk Moderators

ShakeyWalton
Forum User
Posts: 665
Joined: 27 May 2024 13:22 pm

Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by ShakeyWalton »

What in the world could these guys be connected to you ask? Well, Gratton was signed as an RFA by the Flyers in the late 90’s. Instead of Philly losing those picks, Tampa traded them back for Michael Renberg and Karl Dykhuis. And that trade was the only time 4 first round picks were ever moved in a package from what I’ve researched. At the very least it’s the most recent, and it was 29 years ago. Anaheim has to let him go IMO. Carlsson is not worth 4 firsts. I’m not sure anyone is honestly.
hockey jedi
Forum User
Posts: 1685
Joined: 24 May 2024 17:50 pm

Re: Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by hockey jedi »

ShakeyWalton wrote: 07 Jul 2026 20:41 pm What in the world could these guys be connected to you ask? Well, Gratton was signed as an RFA by the Flyers in the late 90’s. Instead of Philly losing those picks, Tampa traded them back for Michael Renberg and Karl Dykhuis. And that trade was the only time 4 first round picks were ever moved in a package from what I’ve researched. At the very least it’s the most recent, and it was 29 years ago. Anaheim has to let him go IMO. Carlsson is not worth 4 firsts. I’m not sure anyone is honestly.
Apparently Judge Ed Huston doesn't agree with you. :lol: :lol: :lol: Just kidding, I know what you meant
UMR-alum-05
Forum User
Posts: 1332
Joined: 21 May 2026 07:22 am

Re: Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by UMR-alum-05 »

It will be interesting what happens.

It's my opinion that Philly will almost immediately have cap problems requiring them to trade away at least one good player if Anaheim doesn't match. Not to mention the four firsts they have to give up.

Philly has 29MM in cap space. 18MM to Carlson. Zegras is an RFA. Drysdale is an RFA. That's their 2C and 2RD. I doubt they can sign both for the 11MM that will remain. And Michkov will be an RFA next offseason along with other contracts kicking up in cost like Foerster.
STL fan in MN
Forum User
Posts: 3635
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:57 pm

Re: Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by STL fan in MN »

ShakeyWalton wrote: 07 Jul 2026 20:41 pm What in the world could these guys be connected to you ask? Well, Gratton was signed as an RFA by the Flyers in the late 90’s. Instead of Philly losing those picks, Tampa traded them back for Michael Renberg and Karl Dykhuis. And that trade was the only time 4 first round picks were ever moved in a package from what I’ve researched. At the very least it’s the most recent, and it was 29 years ago. Anaheim has to let him go IMO. Carlsson is not worth 4 firsts. I’m not sure anyone is honestly.
He’s pretty easily worth 4 1sts IMO. Unless Philly is garbage with Carlsson, those 1sts are likely going to be in the back half of the 1st rd. Check out this list and pick 4 at random. Would you take those 4 players over Carlsson?
Image

And to what hockey jedi alluded to, do you even remember who was drafted from the 5 1sts we gave the Caps for Stevens?
skilles
Forum User
Posts: 2739
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:28 pm

Re: Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by skilles »

STL fan in MN wrote: 07 Jul 2026 21:35 pm
ShakeyWalton wrote: 07 Jul 2026 20:41 pm What in the world could these guys be connected to you ask? Well, Gratton was signed as an RFA by the Flyers in the late 90’s. Instead of Philly losing those picks, Tampa traded them back for Michael Renberg and Karl Dykhuis. And that trade was the only time 4 first round picks were ever moved in a package from what I’ve researched. At the very least it’s the most recent, and it was 29 years ago. Anaheim has to let him go IMO. Carlsson is not worth 4 firsts. I’m not sure anyone is honestly.
He’s pretty easily worth 4 1sts IMO. Unless Philly is garbage with Carlsson, those 1sts are likely going to be in the back half of the 1st rd. Check out this list and pick 4 at random. Would you take those 4 players over Carlsson?
Image

And to what hockey jedi alluded to, do you even remember who was drafted from the 5 1sts we gave the Caps for Stevens?
I don't think that is the correct way to look at it, there are a few more details.

1. Its a 5 year deal(that alone is devastating)
2. Its for 18 million/year(strike 2)

I think I'd lean not matching depending on discussions with other teams about what I can get with those picks and money. Can I get Larkin for 5 years at half that money?
UMR-alum-05
Forum User
Posts: 1332
Joined: 21 May 2026 07:22 am

Re: Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by UMR-alum-05 »

Yeah the fact that it's not a longer contract is brutal. He would be an RFA the entire life of the deal so you're overpaying for all his RFA years and not buying any UFA years. That's brutal.

If I'm the ducks I'm probably spending this time trying to sign Fantilli to a 7x14 or something offer sheet. That or like Skilles said, trying to trade for Larkin for 5x8.7. Either move with the obvious intent to let Carlson go.

I keep saying I think Philly is going to hate what this does to their cap and roster decisions moving forward.
ShakeyWalton
Forum User
Posts: 665
Joined: 27 May 2024 13:22 pm

Re: Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by ShakeyWalton »

STL fan in MN wrote: 07 Jul 2026 21:35 pm
ShakeyWalton wrote: 07 Jul 2026 20:41 pm What in the world could these guys be connected to you ask? Well, Gratton was signed as an RFA by the Flyers in the late 90’s. Instead of Philly losing those picks, Tampa traded them back for Michael Renberg and Karl Dykhuis. And that trade was the only time 4 first round picks were ever moved in a package from what I’ve researched. At the very least it’s the most recent, and it was 29 years ago. Anaheim has to let him go IMO. Carlsson is not worth 4 firsts. I’m not sure anyone is honestly.
He’s pretty easily worth 4 1sts IMO. Unless Philly is garbage with Carlsson, those 1sts are likely going to be in the back half of the 1st rd. Check out this list and pick 4 at random. Would you take those 4 players over Carlsson?
Image

And to what hockey jedi alluded to, do you even remember who was drafted from the 5 1sts we gave the Caps for Stevens?
He’s “easily worth 4 first rounders” when that trade has only happened once and was a terrible decision btw?!

Even if all four picks were 17th overall, who has even given up that capital for one guy?!

The Caps made bad picks. The draft back then wasn’t nearly as important in the non salary cap world. Ask Detroit about that…
STL fan in MN
Forum User
Posts: 3635
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:57 pm

Re: Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by STL fan in MN »

UMR-alum-05 wrote: 07 Jul 2026 21:54 pm Yeah the fact that it's not a longer contract is brutal. He would be an RFA the entire life of the deal so you're overpaying for all his RFA years and not buying any UFA years. That's brutal.

If I'm the ducks I'm probably spending this time trying to sign Fantilli to a 7x14 or something offer sheet. That or like Skilles said, trying to trade for Larkin for 5x8.7. Either move with the obvious intent to let Carlson go.

I keep saying I think Philly is going to hate what this does to their cap and roster decisions moving forward.
He has 4 RFA years left so they’d be buying 1 UFA year actually.

But yeah, it’s a raw deal for sure. Philly did them dirty. But unless Anaheim wants to basically start over, they just cant let their 1C go.

Should’ve signed him 6-12 months ago but with the options they have now, I’d match if I was them.
UMR-alum-05
Forum User
Posts: 1332
Joined: 21 May 2026 07:22 am

Re: Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by UMR-alum-05 »

STL fan in MN wrote: 08 Jul 2026 00:03 am
UMR-alum-05 wrote: 07 Jul 2026 21:54 pm Yeah the fact that it's not a longer contract is brutal. He would be an RFA the entire life of the deal so you're overpaying for all his RFA years and not buying any UFA years. That's brutal.

If I'm the ducks I'm probably spending this time trying to sign Fantilli to a 7x14 or something offer sheet. That or like Skilles said, trying to trade for Larkin for 5x8.7. Either move with the obvious intent to let Carlson go.

I keep saying I think Philly is going to hate what this does to their cap and roster decisions moving forward.
He has 4 RFA years left so they’d be buying 1 UFA year actually.

But yeah, it’s a raw deal for sure. Philly did them dirty. But unless Anaheim wants to basically start over, they just cant let their 1C go.

Should’ve signed him 6-12 months ago but with the options they have now, I’d match if I was them.
Far as I see they have five options to not match.

Offer Sheet Fantilli.

Offer Sheet Bedard.

Trade for Larkin.

Trade for Petterson.

Totally rebuild.

Obviously Fantilli and Bedard are far from certain you'd even get one. But as I noted above you could go for a longer contract on specifically Fantilli and a little less AAV and at least try.

Larkin would be contingent on him waiving to go there. They should be having that discussion now.

Same with Petterson. Petterson isn't really a number 1C anymore either.

To your point, rebuilding will take them years. But that roster is already full of holes. Nothing at RHD. Aging forwards in a lot of spots getting close to expiration on their deals. It's not like the team is close with Carlson. They overachieved last season and have lost a lot of that group already.
zamadoo
Forum User
Posts: 2671
Joined: 23 May 2024 15:11 pm

Re: Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by zamadoo »

UMR-alum-05 wrote: 08 Jul 2026 06:02 am
STL fan in MN wrote: 08 Jul 2026 00:03 am
UMR-alum-05 wrote: 07 Jul 2026 21:54 pm Yeah the fact that it's not a longer contract is brutal. He would be an RFA the entire life of the deal so you're overpaying for all his RFA years and not buying any UFA years. That's brutal.

If I'm the ducks I'm probably spending this time trying to sign Fantilli to a 7x14 or something offer sheet. That or like Skilles said, trying to trade for Larkin for 5x8.7. Either move with the obvious intent to let Carlson go.

I keep saying I think Philly is going to hate what this does to their cap and roster decisions moving forward.
He has 4 RFA years left so they’d be buying 1 UFA year actually.

But yeah, it’s a raw deal for sure. Philly did them dirty. But unless Anaheim wants to basically start over, they just cant let their 1C go.

Should’ve signed him 6-12 months ago but with the options they have now, I’d match if I was them.
Far as I see they have five options to not match.

Offer Sheet Fantilli.

Offer Sheet Bedard.

Trade for Larkin.

Trade for Petterson.

Totally rebuild.

Obviously Fantilli and Bedard are far from certain you'd even get one. But as I noted above you could go for a longer contract on specifically Fantilli and a little less AAV and at least try.

Larkin would be contingent on him waiving to go there. They should be having that discussion now.

Same with Petterson. Petterson isn't really a number 1C anymore either.

To your point, rebuilding will take them years. But that roster is already full of holes. Nothing at RHD. Aging forwards in a lot of spots getting close to expiration on their deals. It's not like the team is close with Carlson. They overachieved last season and have lost a lot of that group already.
This is all so entertaining, and I apologize if I've seemed rude or anything in all these threads and discussions.

Could you imagine if the 'little ball of hate' retaliated by offer sheeting Bedard the max contract? So then both Quenneville and Bedard are with ANA and CHI is left with more picks and Byram?
BleedingBleu
Forum User
Posts: 1729
Joined: 30 Nov 2025 07:19 am

Re: Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by BleedingBleu »

zamadoo wrote: 08 Jul 2026 06:40 am
UMR-alum-05 wrote: 08 Jul 2026 06:02 am
STL fan in MN wrote: 08 Jul 2026 00:03 am
UMR-alum-05 wrote: 07 Jul 2026 21:54 pm Yeah the fact that it's not a longer contract is brutal. He would be an RFA the entire life of the deal so you're overpaying for all his RFA years and not buying any UFA years. That's brutal.

If I'm the ducks I'm probably spending this time trying to sign Fantilli to a 7x14 or something offer sheet. That or like Skilles said, trying to trade for Larkin for 5x8.7. Either move with the obvious intent to let Carlson go.

I keep saying I think Philly is going to hate what this does to their cap and roster decisions moving forward.
He has 4 RFA years left so they’d be buying 1 UFA year actually.

But yeah, it’s a raw deal for sure. Philly did them dirty. But unless Anaheim wants to basically start over, they just cant let their 1C go.

Should’ve signed him 6-12 months ago but with the options they have now, I’d match if I was them.
Far as I see they have five options to not match.

Offer Sheet Fantilli.

Offer Sheet Bedard.

Trade for Larkin.

Trade for Petterson.

Totally rebuild.

Obviously Fantilli and Bedard are far from certain you'd even get one. But as I noted above you could go for a longer contract on specifically Fantilli and a little less AAV and at least try.

Larkin would be contingent on him waiving to go there. They should be having that discussion now.

Same with Petterson. Petterson isn't really a number 1C anymore either.

To your point, rebuilding will take them years. But that roster is already full of holes. Nothing at RHD. Aging forwards in a lot of spots getting close to expiration on their deals. It's not like the team is close with Carlson. They overachieved last season and have lost a lot of that group already.
This is all so entertaining, and I apologize if I've seemed rude or anything in all these threads and discussions.

Could you imagine if the 'little ball of hate' retaliated by offer sheeting Bedard the max contract? So then both Quenneville and Bedard are with ANA and CHI is left with more picks and Byram?
Image

I’m here for it!

:lol: :lol: :lol:
Old_Goat
Forum User
Posts: 1519
Joined: 28 Dec 2024 08:46 am

Re: Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by Old_Goat »

What if Anaheim doesn't match, but to save face they sign (almost hometown boy) Jason Robertson? Yes, they'll still have to pay some $ more than their historic strategy calls for with players and yes he is a Winger and yes they still need a Center...but maybe they can gain something with any cash savings and future draft, or trades of those picks?
STL fan in MN
Forum User
Posts: 3635
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:57 pm

Re: Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by STL fan in MN »

Old_Goat wrote: 08 Jul 2026 07:47 am What if Anaheim doesn't match, but to save face they sign (almost hometown boy) Jason Robertson? Yes, they'll still have to pay some $ more than their historic strategy calls for with players and yes he is a Winger and yes they still need a Center...but maybe they can gain something with any cash savings and future draft, or trades of those picks?
Robertson filed for arbitration so is no longer offer sheet eligible.
Old_Goat
Forum User
Posts: 1519
Joined: 28 Dec 2024 08:46 am

Re: Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by Old_Goat »

STL fan in MN wrote: 08 Jul 2026 08:19 am
Old_Goat wrote: 08 Jul 2026 07:47 am What if Anaheim doesn't match, but to save face they sign (almost hometown boy) Jason Robertson? Yes, they'll still have to pay some $ more than their historic strategy calls for with players and yes he is a Winger and yes they still need a Center...but maybe they can gain something with any cash savings and future draft, or trades of those picks?
Robertson filed for arbitration so is no longer offer sheet eligible.
Got it. I had missed that filing notice...never mind.

But then again, who knows, depending on how the Arbitrator rules, maybe one or both of the Stars and Robertson still are not satisfied and they seek a trade with Anaheim? Obviously Anaheim may say the heck with paying whatever it will be, because Dallas may want/need a lot more than just those high picks and Anaheim may not want to give up anymore NHL experienced players?
A bit of a mess...probably more-so for Anaheim than Dallas.

Not our problem to solve...moving on.
Army's Mom
Forum User
Posts: 1141
Joined: 21 Aug 2024 10:23 am

Re: Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by Army's Mom »

BleedingBleu wrote: 08 Jul 2026 07:17 am
zamadoo wrote: 08 Jul 2026 06:40 am
UMR-alum-05 wrote: 08 Jul 2026 06:02 am
STL fan in MN wrote: 08 Jul 2026 00:03 am
UMR-alum-05 wrote: 07 Jul 2026 21:54 pm Yeah the fact that it's not a longer contract is brutal. He would be an RFA the entire life of the deal so you're overpaying for all his RFA years and not buying any UFA years. That's brutal.

If I'm the ducks I'm probably spending this time trying to sign Fantilli to a 7x14 or something offer sheet. That or like Skilles said, trying to trade for Larkin for 5x8.7. Either move with the obvious intent to let Carlson go.

I keep saying I think Philly is going to hate what this does to their cap and roster decisions moving forward.
He has 4 RFA years left so they’d be buying 1 UFA year actually.

But yeah, it’s a raw deal for sure. Philly did them dirty. But unless Anaheim wants to basically start over, they just cant let their 1C go.

Should’ve signed him 6-12 months ago but with the options they have now, I’d match if I was them.
Far as I see they have five options to not match.

Offer Sheet Fantilli.

Offer Sheet Bedard.

Trade for Larkin.

Trade for Petterson.

Totally rebuild.

Obviously Fantilli and Bedard are far from certain you'd even get one. But as I noted above you could go for a longer contract on specifically Fantilli and a little less AAV and at least try.

Larkin would be contingent on him waiving to go there. They should be having that discussion now.

Same with Petterson. Petterson isn't really a number 1C anymore either.

To your point, rebuilding will take them years. But that roster is already full of holes. Nothing at RHD. Aging forwards in a lot of spots getting close to expiration on their deals. It's not like the team is close with Carlson. They overachieved last season and have lost a lot of that group already.
This is all so entertaining, and I apologize if I've seemed rude or anything in all these threads and discussions.

Could you imagine if the 'little ball of hate' retaliated by offer sheeting Bedard the max contract? So then both Quenneville and Bedard are with ANA and CHI is left with more picks and Byram?
Image

I’m here for it!

:lol: :lol: :lol:
Count me in!

But in all seriousness, why would any young player want to sign an offer sheet to help out Verbeek, who is notorious for playing hardball with them to the extent he's obviously screwed his own rebuild.

Go ahead, make your hypothetical pitch to Bedard so we can all laugh.

None of those are real options. The only options are match ir start over.
blues2112
Forum User
Posts: 4385
Joined: 27 Apr 2018 18:17 pm

Re: Leo Carlsson and Chris Gratton

Post by blues2112 »

STL fan in MN wrote: 07 Jul 2026 21:35 pm And to what hockey jedi alluded to, do you even remember who was drafted from the 5 1sts we gave the Caps for Stevens?
Sergei Gonchar, Brendan Witt, Miika Elomo and Trevor Halverson. One of the picks was traded with Mike Ridley for Rob Pearson and Nolan Baumgartner.

This page has neat tree about the legacy of Stevens' compensation, all the way down to Filip Forsberg.

www.japersrink.com/scott-stevens-capita ... 2-21-2019/