Flyers sign Carter to 11-year, $58 million deal
The decision, Jeff Carter said, wasn't really a tough one. He could have signed a 1-year contract extension and tested the free agency waters in 2012 - or he could sign a long-term deal with the Flyers now, most likely becoming a Flyer for life.
The decision, Jeff Carter said, wasn't really a tough one.
He could have signed a 1-year contract extension and tested the free agency waters in 2012 - or he could sign a long-term deal with the Flyers now, most likely becoming a Flyer for life.
On Saturday, he chose the latter by inking an 11-year deal worth $58 million - joining teammate and close friend Mike Richards for the two longest and richest contracts in franchise history. Carter's deal will kick in next season.
Richards is signed through 2020 at $5.75 million per season.
"You know, we have a good thing here," Carter said. "There's a lot of great people in the organization, guys that are unbelievable. When you think of it, I could have gone somewhere else for more money, but I'm happy here. I love playing here and I'm glad I'm still here."
Carter, 25, will earn between $6 and $7 million until 2018. His salary will trickle down to $2 million in 2020 and 2021. His salary-cap hit, though, will remain at $5.27 million for the length of the contract, which is an agreeable number for a 40-goal scorer that is just reaching his prime.
"It's hard to say 'cap-friendly,' but it certainly doesn't really hurt us," general manager Paul Holmgren said. "We're happy to have Jeff signed for the foreseeable future. He's an integral part of the core of our hockey team."
Carter will also enjoy a no-trade clause starting in 2012 that becomes a limited no-trade clause in 2015.
Now, after extending Carter and Claude Giroux (who signed a 3-year, $11.25 million deal on Monday), Holmgren's focus will shift to Ville Leino, who becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
The Flyers already have a league-high $57.585 million tied up in salary for next season with just 18 players signed out of a roster of 23. This year's cap is $59.4 million, which could increase or stay the same next year.
Leino, 27, who earns $800,000, will be due a big raise if he continues to put up near point-per-game numbers after netting 21 points in 19 playoff games last year.
"If he keeps getting a couple points a game, it gets harder and harder. Maybe we should sit him out," Holmgren deadpanned. "I've had conversations with Ville's agent. Obviously, he's a guy we want to keep in our organization, so we'll do what we can."
Leino recognizes his tough situation but is putting more emphasis on what he can control, which is his play on the ice.
"It's tough with the cap," Leino said. "These guys are signing big deals, so we'll see what it is. I enjoy it here. I enjoy playing here and staying here, but, right now, I am focusing on playing well and making sure we are winning. That's where I want to be in my priorities and then see where it brings me."
Slap shots
James van Riemsdyk figures to return to the lineup tonight against Ottawa after missing four games as a healthy scratch. Andreas Nodl suffered an injury to his right big toe while blocking a shot in Saturday's 5-2 win over the visiting Florida Panthers. Both an X-ray and MRI were negative and Paul Holmgren said Nodl's chances to play in tonight's game against the visiting Senators are "50-50."
For more news and analysis, read Frank Seravalli's blog, Frequent Flyers, at
http://go.philly.com/frequentflyers.
Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DNFlyers.
