Flyers sign Giroux to 8-year extension

The Flyers have reached an agreement on a multi-year contract extension with center Claude Giroux that will take effect at the start of the 2014-15 season, according to GM Paul Holmgren.

The deal is reportedly for eight years, the maximum length a player can sign for in the new CBA. ESPN.com claims it’s worth $66.2 million, or $8.275 million per year. It also includes a full no-movement clause.

“We are pleased to announce that we have agreed to an eight year contract extension with Claude Giroux,” Holmgren said in a statement. “Claude is a high-quality young man that over the past few years has blossomed into our best player and also one of the top players in the league. We look forward to more and better things to come from Claude over the next number of years as we try to achieve our goal of becoming a championship team.”

The 25-year-old Giroux was named the 19th captain of the Flyers on Jan. 15, 2013. The 5-11, 172-lb native of Hearst, Ontario is entering his sixth season with the Flyers. He is coming off a 2012-13 campaign where he posted 13 goals and 34 assists for 47 points, while appearing in all 48 games.

In the 2012-13 season, Giroux enjoyed a breakout campaign as he led the Flyers to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He posted some of the best offensive numbers for a Flyers player in 12 years, finishing the regular season with 28 goals and 65 assists for 93 points on the season, all career highs. The 93 points were the most by a Flyer in a single season since Eric Lindros had 93 points in 1998-99, and the 65 assists were the most by a Flyer since Lindros posted 68 in 1995-96.

Giroux also became just the fourth Flyer to record 50 or more assists in consecutive seasons, joining Bobby Clarke (8 seasons, 1972-1980), Brian Propp (3 seasons, 1983-86) and Mark Recchi (2 seasons twice). Giroux ranked third in the NHL in scoring and led the league in power play points with 38 (6G, 32A).