Sean Couturier’s Extension Is A Good Investment By The Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers haven’t had the most eventful offseason, but for the third time, the Flyers are extending a valuable in-house piece for the future. First it was Ryan White, then it was Michael Del Zotto and now it’s center Sean Couturier.

The Flyers did not release the terms, but reports indicate that it is a six-year extension worth $26 million.

The extension has been met with mixed reviews by Philly faithful. While Couturier is one of the best two-way players in the NHL, his inconsistency has been glaring. A lockdown center on the penalty kill, his defensive game is superb, but his offensive game is still in the works.

After scoring 96 points in consecutive seasons with QMJHL’s Drummondville Voltigeurs before becoming a Flyers regular, Couturier looked to have some serious offensive potential. However, that offensive prowess hasn’t been matched at the NHL level. In the 2013-14 season, Couturier set his career high with only 38 points.

However, Couturier is only 22 years old. He still hasn’t been completely seasoned and will surely begin to show more offensively as his career progresses.

Philadelphia already has young stud defensemen like Sam Morin, Shayne Gostisbehere, Robert Hagg, Travis Sanheim and Ivan Provorov on their way to the big club, but by extending an elite two-way forward like Couturier, the Flyers are looking to have a much stingier defense in the foreseeable future.