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Flyers Sign Sean Couturier to Eight-Year Extension |
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The Flyers have signed 28-year-old center Sean Couturier to an eight-year contract extension. The deal kicks in for the 2022-23 season. At that point, the average annual value (AAV) on Couturier's contract will increase from its current $4.33 million to $7.75 million.
The deal carries a full no-movement clause for the first seven years and a partial no-trade clause for the final year.
Flyers general manager and president of hockey operations Chuck Fletcher said in a statement, "Sean has the rare talent to shut down opposing team’s top players while also contributing at a high offensive level. Throughout his 10-year career with the Flyers, he has proven to be the ultimate teammate. He carries an enormous presence inside our dressing room due to his preparation, determination and drive to win."
Added Couturier in a statement, "To be part of the Flyers organization for another eight years following next year is extremely exciting. “I like the way the team is built and the mix of players that we have. I’m really looking forward to it but especially this year. We’ve made a lot of changes, but it’s all positive and very exciting.”
While the Flyers must budget an additional $3.42 million into their 2022-23 salary cap plan, there are ways to offset it. Most notably, Claude Giroux is entering the final year of his current contract, which carries an $8.275 million cap hit.
Giroux's next contract, at age 34, is a virtual lock to go down in AAV. The more of a hometown discount he's willing to accept, the better it would be for the Flyers' salary cap picture for 2022-23.
Let's estimate modestly and say that Giroux signs a three-year contract that carries a $5.75 million cap hit; a reduction of $2.5 million AAV from his current deal. That would offset all but $942,000 of Couturier's raise. A full cancel-out on a Couturier raise and Giroux reduction would be if Giroux would accept a $4.83 million AAV (i.e., a $3.42 million cut).
Fletcher said during a Zoom press conference that he's had discussions with Giroux and agent Pat Brisson. They will get down to brass tacks on a new contract after the 2021-22 season. Reading between the lines, it does not seem as if there's much concern that Giroux would go elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent. Rather, it will be a question of agreeing on a term and an AAV level within a low-to-high range that will be based on his level of play this coming season.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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