The Philadelphia Flyers made their decision on Wednesday. Before Friday’s trade deadline they opted to trade pending free agent Sean Walker to the Colorado Avalanche for a first-round pick, and keep fellow pending unrestricted free agent Nick Seeler by signing him to a four-year, $10.8-million contract extension. The two blueliners have had their future homes secured, for at least the remainder of the season.
Seeler embodies the Flyers with every drop of blood and sweat that pours out of him. And coming from being a no-name player to ending up being a significant part of a playoff team’s blue line is a journey you don’t see too often in the modern NHL.
The 30-year-old defenseman reflected on his path to signing this four-year extension.
“I’ve had conversations like that this past day or so, just kind of thinking about where I was three years ago, and not sure if I wanted to continue playing, and here we are today,” Seeler said at his first media availability since putting pen to paper. “So, it’s an amazing feeling. i couldn’t be happier to be staying in Philadelphia. It’s a place where I came — it’s my third year here — right when I got here, it felt like home.
“With the new management coming in and Torts, and the direction this group is going, it’s really exciting to be a part of. To have that commitment, for the next four years, in a place where I feel so comfortable and respected, and a place where they treat their players so well. And to have a fan base like Philly, it’s something special. You can see it this year with the fans with the excitement that is surrounding the team this year and it’s been a blast to be a part of. To be able to plant roots here for the next four years, I’m really excited.”
His roots have been planted and all of this comes after not even knowing if he would play professional hockey again. Three years ago, Seeler didn’t even play in the 2020-21 season — not in the AHL, ECHL; anywhere — and after returning to hockey and escaping the Chicago Blackhawks, he linked up with the Flyers thanks to some connection to former general manager Chuck Fletcher. Signed to a one-year, two-way deal, and then a two-year, two-way deal (which he is currently in his last year of), Seeler has scratched and clawed to being a reliable contributor.
With that path behind him, Seeler acknowledges that it’s a tremendous feeling to have come from almost never playing hockey again.
“It’s a special moment for me. It’s just something you work towards as an athlete,” he said. “To find a home where you feel comfortable, especially in this business where there’s a lot of unknowns and a lot of uncertainty in our everyday lives.”
For the Flyers, with a player now that will remain through the gruesome part of their planned rebuild, they envision Seeler being a stabilizer on a blue line that will remain fairly young. Players like Cam York and Jamie Drysdale should play through their prime years in Philadelphia with Seeler as a teammate and the veteran defender feels ready to take on this mentorship opportunity.
“Certainly comfortable in that role. Kind of feels weird to talk about, I guess, but I am becoming one of those older guys on our team, with a great group of young talent coming up,” Seeler said. “If I’m able to be someone that they look towards, or look up to, or need advice from, I’m always there. I’m not always the guy to say things in the room, but I try to do my best to lead on the ice with my play with the effort I can bring.”
Now, the shot-blocking machine that will never quit trying and appears to be willing to die on the ice before letting his teammates down, will be a Flyer for longer than just a handful of seasons and off-and-on appearances. Seeler has a story that has been lost in the NHL’s hyperfocus on skill, ability, and pedigree.
It feels good that a place like this can welcome and keep around a guy like him, and he made it clear that he feels more than comfortable to stay here.
