Giroux signs 3-year extension

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Next summer was shaping up to be an interesting one for the Flyers, with Jeff Carter and Claude Giroux set to become restricted free agents.

Rather than wait until June, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren nipped one of his impending free agents in the bud on Monday.

Now, Flyers fans can breath a sigh of relief.

Claude Giroux will be a Philadelphia Flyer for at least the next 3 seasons, inking a 3-year, $11.25 million deal as first reported by TSN.

Holmgren confirmed the extension to the Daily News on Monday night.

Giroux, 22, will earn $765,000 this season. Next year, his salary will jump to $2.75 million. In 2012-13, Giroux will earn $3.5 million and in 2013-14, Giroux will earn $5 million.

Giroux's salary benefits the Flyers as it escalates while the Flyers' cap room also escalates due to other expiring contracts.

Giroux's cap hit during those years will come out to an average of $3.75 million.

Giroux has been one of the Flyers' best players this season with 7 goals and 7 assists in 15 games after 21 points in 23 playoff games last spring.

Read more in Tuesday's Daily News.