Welcome back to this edition of NHL Rumours, here at Last Word On Hockey. Today’s topic will focus on the Philadelphia Flyers and the ongoing chatter regarding a possible extension for a top-six centre. So, stick around because there’s lots of ground to cover here.
NHL Rumours: Flyers Talking Extension with Christian Dvorak, Potential Number Revealed
Rumour: The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta discussed the potential extension between the Philadelphia Flyers and centre Christian Dvorak. According to Pagnotta, the number could be three years at a $5.5 million average annual value. That amount coincides with other NHL rumours regarding the potential deal for Dvorak.
Analysis: The Flyers signed Dvorak this offseason, hoping to plug a hole down the middle. Philly had also acquired Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks, also hoping to move him to centre. However, Zegras has remained on the wing, with the lack of depth down the middle pushing Dvorak up the food chain.
As such, NHL rumours began swirling about the Flyers keeping the 29-year-old in the fold beyond this season. Dvorak is on track to become a unrestricted free agent and could command a hefty deal amid a centre-starved market.
Last Saturday night, Elliotte Friedman added to the ongoing NHL rumours by reporting that the Flyers and Dvorak are talking about an extension. That’s the chatter Pagnotta confirmed on December 29, adding the potential price tag. Pagnotta wrote:
“The Philadelphia Flyers and centre Christian Dvorak’s camp have been chatting extension for a little while and it seems like a multi-year deal, possibly in the three-year range, worth around $5.5 million per season isn’t too far in the offing.”
In all fairness, the deal seems somewhat shorter than what would typically constitute a “multi-year” deal. As Friedman noted, that’s what Dvorak’s camp is looking for. In fact, $5.5 million AAV is pretty much what Dvorak is making now. So, the benefit of a three-year extension would be to guarantee his spot for the foreseeable future.
Why Three-Year Deal Makes Sense for Dvorak
For the bulk of his career, Christian Dvorak has been a depth centre. That was the role he carved out for himself with the Montreal Canadiens. The Flyers, as such, signed him, intending to use the former second-round pick as a 3C, roughly. NHL rumours this past summer posited that Dvorak would command a substantial deal, which he did. But the talk did not suggest he could step into a number-one role.
But Dvorak’s rise up the depth chart has some still wondering if he’s a legit number-one guy. That situation could bring down a potential multi-year extension for Dvorak. After all, is he really a top-line centre? Or is he more of a 3C playing out of his depth?
That’s a tough question for the Flyers to answer. It’s also the reason why NHL rumours suggest such a lowball deal for Philly’s top centre at the moment. If anything, a three-year deal provides enough time to prove he’s the real deal. At that point, Dvorak and the Flyers can revisit a more lucrative extension.
Granted, Dvorak will be 32 years old by the time his next contract rolls around. Cap dynamics will be different by then. It seems that will be a bridge both sides will cross when they get to it. In the meantime, NHL rumours point towards somewhat of a status quo for the Flyers and Dvorak moving forward.
Main Photo: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images