Flyers extend Hartnell for Six Years

Six year deals are a new trend for the Flyers, as after signing Wayne Simmonds to a six year deal the week before, they have now also signed Scott Hartnell to a new 6-year contract worth a total of $28.5 million. Just as Simmonds’ new contract, Hartnell’s will not go into effect until the 2013-2014 season, as he still has one year left on his current deal. He will make $3.2 million this upcoming season.

His new 6 year deal sees him making his biggest money in the first year and slowly dwindling as it progresses. It reads as follows: $6 million in 2013-2014, $5 million for the next 3 seasons, $4.5 million in 2017-2018, and $3 million in 2018-2019. As many contracts in the current salary cap, his hit will be steady throughout the duration of the deal, at $4.75 million.

The Flyers are taking a leap of faith, here, with this contract. They’re assuming that Hartnell will continue to perform after his career year, posting 37 goals and 30 assists. He has already been placed on a line with Claude Giroux, which will help him, yet again. It won’t be a bad deal if Hartnell can still be a 30 goal scorer, or close. But if he goes back to his dumb-penalty-stricken ways, the Flyers may end up hanging their heads with this decision.

Just as with Simmonds’ deal, the final year of Hartnell’s contract is still in question. The owners are insistent on a 5 year ceiling for contracts. Labor talks between the NHL and NHLPA have been ongoing and have seen some positives and negatives, but with October quickly approaching, things aren’t seeming so bright.

Next thing on the Flyers’ agenda: Claude Giroux. The Flyers have most of their core players signed for at least the next two seasons. It most likely won’t happen until next season, or during the upcoming (hopeful) season, but the Flyers need to make Giroux the definite face of the franchise. He is only signed for the next two seasons, making $3.5 million and $5 million respectively. Going into next season, if all stays the same, the Flyers will have over $12 million in cap space. Pay the man.

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John Feldman

Avid Flyers fan, former hockey player, and current drinker. I'm 27 years old and I still act like I'm 12. I've chosen to watch regular season Flyers games over work, girlfriends, special family occasions, and proper hygiene. And when the playoffs start...well I'm sure you can imagine. It's no wonder I'm still single, unemployed, and living with my parents. But until something comes along and changes my opinion about the Flyers (nothing ever will), I'm totally cool with it. By the way, I wrote a book. It has absolutely nothing to do with hockey. http://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Unsuccessful-John-Feldman/dp/1469982269/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342974305&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+be+unsuccessful (I don't know how to hyperlink it. I'm not too smart.)

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