FLYERS SIGN COUTURIER TO SIX-YEAR EXTENSION
The Philadelphia Flyers have signed center
Sean Couturier to a six-year contract extension kicking for the 2016-17 season, the team announced on Tuesday. The deal, worth $25.98 million, will carry a $4.33 million cap hit.
Couturier, who could have become a restricted free agent next July, will earn $1.75 million against the salary cap in 2015-16. He will be an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the contract extension.
There is a certain leap of faith for both sides. The Flyers are banking on Couturier becoming more of an offensive force in addition to drawing tough defensive assignments. The player hopes that, a few years from now when he otherwise would have been UFA eligible, the deal will not be too far beneath his market value at that point.
In a conference call with reports on Tuesday, Couturier said the deal came together pretty quickly between the club and his agent, former NHL player
Gilles Lupien. That is not particularly surprising, because Lupien is usually regarded as an agent with whom teams can find consensus on a fair deal for both sides.
For his part, Couturier said he is thrilled that the contract extension is finished and feels grateful that the Flyers gave him a vote of confidence.
"They believe in me," Couturier said. "I'm really happy to be there for the next [seven, including next season] years. I love the organization, the city. I think the future is bright in Philly. Hopefully we can do some good things during those [seven] years."
Last season, Couturier dressed in all 82 games for the Flyers, posting 15 goals and 37 points. At a post-season press conference, he said he would consider 50 to 55 points and his first 20-goal season a realistic objective for next season.
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A SPECIAL THANKS TO HOCKEYBUZZ READERS
The other day, HockeyBuzz received a very gracious note from
Sabrina Taylor from You Too Animal Rescue, thanking us and our readers for supporting their fundraising golf event with Flyers Alumni
Joe Watson and
Bob "the Hound" Kelly. Several HockeyBuzz readers participated in the event.
Here is a photo from the event of Joe, Hound and participating golfer
Al Stag
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TODAY IN FLYERS HISTORY FROM FlyersAlumni.org: JULY 29
1990: The Flyers sign goaltending coach
Bernie Parent to a contract extension.
1991: The Flyers trade the rights of forward
Mike Bullard to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 1993 third-round pick (
Vaclav Prospal).
1999: The Flyers re-sign forwards
Mikael Renberg (one year) and
Sandy McCarthy (one year) to contract extensions.
2005: The Flyers trade fan favorite enforcer
Todd Fedoruk to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a 2005 second-round pick (transferred to Phoenix,
Pier-Olivier Pelletier). The same day, the Flyers sign goaltender
Rejean Beauchemin to an entry-level NHL contract.
Flyers Alum Birthday
Power forward
Tye McGinn was born July 29, 1990.
In Memoriam: Bunny Larocque
This date marks the 23rd anniversary of the untimely passing of former Flyers goaltender
Michel "Bunny" Larocque at the age of 40.
Best known as the Montreal Canadiens longtime backup to Hall of Famer
Ken Dryden, Larocque spent a brief stint in Philadelphia during the 1982-83 season. Appearing in only two games, Larocque was the backup to rookie
Pelle Lindbergh after coming over from Toronto in exchange for
Rick St. Croix. While with Montreal, Larocque collected four Stanley Cup rings as Dryden's backup.
After his playing career ended in 1985, Bunny became the general manager of the QMJHL's Victoriaville Tigres, where he won the QMJHL Executive of the Year award for the 1989–90 season. He was named vice president of the QMJHL in 1991 and still held the position at time of his death the following year. Brain cancer claimed his life on July 29, 1992.
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FLYERS ALUMNI FANTASY HOCKEY CAMP
The Flyers Alumni will host a fantasy hockey camp from August 21-24 in Atlantic City, open to anyone age 21 and older. Instructors and Alumni participants will include
Bernie Parent,
Brian Propp,
Ian Laperriere,
Todd Fedoruk,
Andre "Moose" Dupont,
Dave "the Hammer" Schultz,
Joe Watson and
Bob "the Hound" Kelly.
Participation costs $3,000 apiece and you can
register a spot online. Over on the Flyers' Alumni website, there is
more information on camp-related activities and on-ice schedules.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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