Flyers signing Owen Tippett to 8-year extension

Go back to the night of the Claude Giroux trade, where Flyers fans were turned upside down. Look how far we have come since then.

The Flyers are signing Owen Tippett, who was the return for Giroux, to an eight-year, $49.6 million contract extension with a $6.2 million average annual value.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet first reported the news.

Tippett, who turns 25 in February, was set to be a restricted free agent in the offseason. He is currently on a two-year, $3 million contract.

The young forward has blossomed with the Flyers. He is second on the team with 18 goals this season after recording career highs in games with 77, goals with 27, and points with 49 last season.

Before suffering a lower-body injury last Saturday, Tippett was red hot. He has six goals and eight points in his last seven games, a stretch that included two highlight-reel goals that made national attention.

“He has a chance to be something special,” head coach John Tortorella said last week.

Tippett is considered day-to-day. After Saturday’s game against the Boston Bruins in Philadelphia, the Flyers go on a nine-day break, coming at a perfect time for Tippett and the Flyers.

The Flyers believe Tippett has more work to do if he wants to become a complete player. But he is an honest and coachable player who has a significant upside.

This is a great signing by the Flyers, who are still looking to set themselves up for the future.