Upshall inks deal for 2 years, $2.45M
The Flyers completed their first bit offseason work, locking up winger Scottie Upshall for the next two seasons. The Flyers announced yesterday that they signed Upshall to a 2-year deal worth $2.45 million. The 23-year-old, acquired from Nashville in the February Peter Forsberg trade, will be paid $1.2 million this season and $1.25 million next.
The Flyers completed their first bit offseason work, locking up winger Scottie Upshall for the next two seasons.
The Flyers announced yesterday that they signed Upshall to a 2-year deal worth $2.45 million. The 23-year-old, acquired from Nashville in the February Peter Forsberg trade, will be paid $1.2 million this season and $1.25 million next.
"We were very pleased with [Upshall's] performance after we acquired him midway through last season, and we're glad to have him locked up in our organization for the next couple of seasons," general manager Paul Holmgren said
"It was a priority for us to get this deal done as soon as possible, so we can continue to move forward with our offseason plans."
Upshall, 6-foot and 197 pounds, provided immediate speed and impact on the top two lines after coming to the Flyers, scoring six goals and seven assists in 18 games.
"I spoke with my agent on Monday, who spoke with [Holmgren], and both sides wanted to get something done," Upshall said.
"To me, that was nice to know, and now we can put that aside. For me, just having the opportunity here that I do is the most important thing. The contract itself is just a bonus. I just want to prove that I can help the Flyers and that together we can be a championship team."
He also said: "I'm extremely happy. It's an exciting time for myself and [my] family, and now I'm just looking forward to having a great summer and coming to Philly in September ready for training camp and ready to have a good start to the season."
Several Flyers are restricted free agents, including goalie Antero Niittymaki and defenseman Joni Pitkanen. The team will hit the free-agent season as soon as it begins on July 1.
Luukko's son drafted
The 15-year-old son of Flyers president Peter Luukko was recently drafted into the Ontario Hockey League's 2007 priority draft. Nick Luukko, 5-11 and 155 poudns, was selected 15th by the London Knights, who play in the John LaBatt Centre, a facility operated by the Flyers' parent company, Comcast-Spectacor.
Luukko will attend the Knights' camp next month, but will return home to attend Malvern Prep, where he is a freshman. The young defenseman also plays AAA hockey for Team Comcast. *