The Philadelphia Flyers and center Sean Couturier have reached an agreement on an extension, signing the 22-year-old to a six-year deal, worth $4.33 million AAV. His first year of the new deal will pay him $3.75 million and will receive an increase of a quarter million every season, leading into the final two seasons where he’ll make $4.75 million.
Apologies on Couturier — did the math wrong. Six year deal carries $4.33M AAV.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 28, 2015
Sean Couturier extension: $3.75M, $4M, $4.25M, $4.5M, $4.75M, $4.75M.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 28, 2015
Couturier is set to make $2 million in the 2015-16 season, as part of his current two-year contract with the team that was set at $1.75 million AAV. The extension will kick in during the 2016-17 season and will also eat away four years of unrestricted free agent status.
General Manager Ron Hextall has entrusted his young, second-line center with a juicy raise compared to his current deal, which may be seen by some as a leap of faith. The Phoenix-native had put up a career-high in goals (15) and made slight improvements in the face-off circle (48.7%). While his possession stats appear as average on paper, Couturier was faced with the toughest assignments every game and played hard minutes. As a result, his production rate has not had the chance to break out, however with a new head coach in town that may happen as soon as this upcoming season.
The deal is slightly higher than the one Craig Smith recently signed with the Nashville Predators, but is less than both Gustav Nyquist (Detroit Red Wings) and Artem Anisimov (Chicago Blackhawks).
With the contract finalized, Hextall has his entire roster under contract for the 2015-16 season. He’ll have some work to do next off-season, particularly with negotiating a new deal with 23-year-old, restricted free agent Brayden Schenn. Not to mention both Jakub Voracek and Michael Raffl will both be unrestricted free agents.
Main Photo:
Main Photo Caption Philadelphia, PA: Sean Couturier #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 5, 2015 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Credit: Elsa/Getty Images)
