The Philadelphia Flyers’ plans surrounding Friday’s trade deadline has become much clearer.
According to multiple reports, the Flyers have re-signed defenseman Nick Seeler to a four-year, $10.8-million ($2.7-million AAV) extension that sees him staying in Philadelphia through the 2027-28 season.
According to Chris Johnston, the new deal will also a full No-Trade Clause through the first two years, as well as a $1.5-million signing bonus in the first year, and a $1-million signing bonus in the second. Seeler is getting some ultra-specific protection on this deal and he more or less has earned it.
Seeler’s name has been involved in trade rumors for the last few months as his pending unrestricted free agency this summer was fast approaching. Instead of selling him off for any spare parts they could get, the Flyers have decided to keep the physical depth defenseman around. They have been really tell us this from the start.
“We have said that from the get-go, we’re not looking to trade Seels,” head coach John Tortorella said four days ago. “He’s a huge part of the competitiveness of the room. … He’s one of the true competitors that I’ve ever coached as far as how he handles himself.”
The Flyers’ trade deadline is not done until the bell rings at 3:00 p.m. EST on Friday, but as of right now, after Walker was dealt and Seeler was extended, it looks like Philadelphia is perfectly fine heading into next year with a blue line made primarily up of Travis Sanheim, Cam York, Jamie Drysdale, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Nick Seeler leading the charge, as other youngsters like Egor Zamula and Emil Andrae complete for a spot.
Seeler will continue being the character guy on the blue line. With a cap hit of $2.7 million and the NHL’s cap ceiling continue to rise through the next few years, it feels completely reasonable to keep him around as someone to work behind the scenes but also is willing to put the hard work in on the ice. Plus, clearly, the coaching staff loves him and he’s easy to root for.
The veteran defenseman feels like a player handmade to be a Flyer, and he’s going to be around here for the foreseeable future.
