Sean Couturier signs eight-year, $62 million extension with Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier has officially committed his future to the organization that drafted him back in 2011. 

Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher announced via an official release on Thursday that Couturier has put pen to paper on an eight-year contract extension worth $62 million and that carries an average annual value of $7.75 million. Couturier will first play out the remainder of his current deal that expires after the 2021-22 season. 

Per ESPN stats, Couturier finished the 2020-21 regular season second on the Flyers with 18 goals, fourth with 41 points, and first with 0.91 points per game across 45 contests. The 28-year-old won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as "the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game" for 2019-20. 

"We are excited to announce Sean's long term extension with the Flyers today," Fletcher said in the statement. "As one of the premier two-way centers in the NHL, Sean has the rare talent to shut down opposing team's top players while also contributing at a high offensive level. Throughout his 10 year career with the Flyers, he has proven to be the ultimate teammate. He carries an enormous presence inside our dressing room due to his preparation, determination and drive to win." 

Couturier added: "To be part of the Flyers organization for another eight years following next year is extremely exciting. I like the way the team is built and the mix of players that we have. I'm really looking forward to it but especially this year. We've made a lot of changes, but it's all positive and very exciting."

In 692 career NHL regular-season games, Couturier has tallied 174 goals and 269 assists.