Six-year extension for Simmonds
Wayne Simmonds has spent a little more than one full year as a member of the Flyers, but he took a huge step on Wednesday to making Philadelphia his home for a long time.
Six-year extension for Simmonds
Wayne Simmonds has spent a little more than one full year as a member of the Flyers, but he took a huge step on Wednesday to making Philadelphia his home for a long time.
The Flyers and Simmonds agreed to a six-year contract extension, the team announced Thursday morning.
Simmonds, 23, will earn approximately $24 million over those six years with the estimated $4 million in average annual value reported by TSN’s Bob McKenzie. It is unclear how the deal will be structured as to whether it is back-loaded or front-loaded.
Simmonds was set to enter the final year of his 2-year contract this fall, after being acquired from Los Angeles last summer in a trade for Mike Richards. He set new career-highs in goals (28) and points (49) while adding significant grit and toughness over 82 games on the wing with the Flyers.
The new deal is set to begin in the 2013-14 season.
The timing of Simmonds’ extension is certainly interesting.
For one, Simmonds is just 45 days into his negotiating period for an extension, as he has next season remaining on his deal at $2 million. Although this reported new extension will nearly double his salary, there is a strong possibility that with the league’s current labor uncertainty, the new deal could ultimately be worth less.
For instance, the NHL’s original Collective Bargaining Agreement proposal on July 13 - which was finally countered by the NHLPA on Tuesday in Toronto - called for a 24-percent rollback in player salaries. So, if Simmonds signed a $24 million deal, and the NHL gets its way, his new extension is suddenly worth a little more than $18 million. The NHL has also proposed term limits on contracts of 5 years.
The NHL's CBA expires on Sept. 15, at which point commissioner Gary Bettman has promised the owners will lockout the players. Both the NHL and NHLPA said on Wednesday that there is a "significant economic gulf" in negotiations.
More to come.
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers
Good deal!— Bobphxville- Congrats Wayne! Good to have someone here who plays hard and cares about team success rather than individual.— kozykoz26
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The aggressivity of Simmonds is great to watch, the guys a banger,
and an all around great guy to have on the team.
When he’s on the ice ,
every opponent wants to know exactly where he is.— Redwoodser - This guy has quickly turned into a fan favorite and for good reasons. Scored more then i thought he would, showed absolutely amazing toughness and grit, one of those rare players who can literally knock your teeth out with 30goal potential. His cap hit is very manageable, along with Giroux,Coots, Schenn,and Voracek. Simmonds represents one of our core youngsters, i'm thrilled to have him locked up long term.— The Pink Floyd
- once again mos19delta and barnzy02..I said I liked hartnell but last years 37 goals was a fluke and if you cant see thru that you have blinders on...Hartnell scored 30 goals one other time in his 11 years...the other 9 years he scored 14-25 goals...he is a constant 20-25 goal scorer..gives his all night after night ..nothing wrong with 20-25 goals but his 37 was a FLUKE....you guys just dont like FACTS and constantly confuse FACTS with NEGATIVITY....all I do is state FACTS!!!!— flyers1000
- Hartnell is not going anywhere. Why would he? He's got great chemistry with Giroux, and is a top line winger...even if he doesn't score 37 again, you gotta think he's good for 25-30 playing on the top line...curious to see what Shenn does this coming season playing on the top line with those guys.— Reality Speaks
- Congrats SIMMER. A Guy takes one in the grill. Scores winning goal and has your back in the same game? PHILLY ALL DAY. LET'S GO PHYLERS!!!!!!!!!!— Darryl Cofield
