Flyers sign Manning to a 1-year extension
Flyers bolster their defensive corps with a contract to Brandon Manning worth a reported $625,000.
THE FLYERS signed defenseman Brandon Manning to a 1-year contract extension yesterday, general manager Ron Hextall announced. Manning's new deal is a "one-way" contract, meaning it does not have an AHL component.
Manning, 24, will play his 11th and final game for the Flyers this season. Based on his age and experience, he was due to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Instead, he will fight for a full-time job in September on a crowded blue line, likely turning down more lucrative offers overseas for the opportunity.
Manning's one-way deal, worth a reported $625,000, does not guarantee him a roster spot. Oliver Lauridsen earned $600,000 this season, but spent a grand total of 3 days on the NHL roster.
With Manning on board, the Flyers now have seven defensemen (Mark Streit, Andrew MacDonald, Nick Grossmann, Luke Schenn, Radko Gudas and Nick Schultz) signed for next season. Restricted free agent Michael Del Zotto also will likely be back.
That doesn't leave much room for prospects Travis Sanheim, Samuel Morin or Shayne Gostisbehere to make a dent in training camp.
"You can never have enough," Hextall said of his defensive corps. "All of a sudden, guys start going down and you lose two or three defensemen. We've got numbers and that's a good thing."
Only 8 months younger than Luke Schenn, Manning isn't all that young, but the undrafted free agent has blossomed into a capable defender and puck-mover.
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