Flyers, Backlund agree to extension

Flyers goaltender Johan Backlund officially agreed to a 2-year contract extension yesterday. Backlund, 28, was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Backlund's contract is a two-way, NHL and AHL deal, leaving the Flyers room to have him serve as a backup next season or start the year with the Adirondack Phantoms if they decide to bring in another goaltender this offseason. He will earn $800,000 per season in the NHL and $105,000 in the AHL.

This was Backlund's first season in North America after seven pro campaigns in his native Sweden. With the Phantoms, Backlund posted a 21-17-2-1 record, 2.79 goals against average and .906 save percentage. He started one game with the Flyers (March 27 at Pittsburgh) but left after two periods with a groin injury that may require offseason hip surgery.

- Frank Seravalli