Let's just get it out of the way: Hats off to the Philadelphia Flyers for dropping a nuclear bomb on the free agency period.

They just announced that they signed Leo Carlsson to a five-year offer sheet that would carry an annual average value of $18 million. In exchange, they will give the Ducks their next four first-round picks.

This is phenomenal stuff, and not just because it's the second offer sheet signed in a three-day period. The audacity here is what makes me want to name Daniel Briere the 2027 GM of the Year right this second. Even beyond being willing to give up four first-round picks (none of which are likely to be as good as Carlsson is right now, let alone five years in the future). Even beyond the price tag being the richest AAV in the history of the National Hockey League. Even beyond just the dropping-our-balls-on-the-table quality of this incredible announcement. The real thing that makes me excited is that it is a declaration of open warfare.