Flyers' Carlson Gambit Forces Islanders' Hand on Schaefer

Philadelphia's aggressive offer sheet to Leo Carlson has set off a chain reaction in the Eastern Conference, putting the Islanders in a precarious position with their own restricted free agent Matthew Schaefer. When one team makes a bold move like this in July, it forces every other front office to reassess their asset protection strategy and wallet. The Islanders now face a critical decision about whether to match, walk away, or pivot their offseason plans entirely.