Voracek, Flyers Agree to Eight Year Contract

The Philadelphia Flyers and winger Jake Voracek have agreed to a new contract reportedly worth eight years, $66 million.

The new deal has a cap hit of $8.25 million per season. The contract doesn’t go in to effect until the 2016-17 season. Voracek is in the final year of a four-year, $17 million deal with a cap hit of $4.25 million for the 2015-16 season. The forward was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, but will be in Philadelphia until the end of the 2023-24 season barring a trade.

In 82 games played last season, Voracek has 22 goals, 59 assists, 81 points, was a plus one and was in the penalty box for 78 minutes. He led the team in points (81), assists(59) with this 22 goals ranking third on the team. Voracek set career highs in points, assists, game-winning goals (3) and penalty minutes (78). In 531 career games played, he has registered 124 goals, 248 assists, 372 points, is a plus 17 and has 14 game-winning goals. In 22 playoff games, he has four goals, 11 assists, 15 points, is a minus one and averaged 15:34 of ice time per game.

Voracek has been a consistent point producer in his four season with the Flyers. He has registered 45-plus points in every season since being acquired in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets. There has been no significant drop in his point production from one season to the next. Sonce the start of the 2012-13 season, Voracek leads all NHL wingers with 122 assists, and is third among wingers in points (189).

The winger has also proven to be durable in his career. He has appeared in 226 consecutive games, and has played in every game for the past three seasons. Voracek has played in 290 games out of a possible 294 since joining the Flyers for the 2011-12 season. The winger has only missed nine games in his seven NHL seasons.

Voracek plays really well along the boards and in tight around the net. He will rarely give up on a play. Voracek has sound hockey sense and is responsible in his own end of the ice. He will pass up a good shot to pass the puck to a teammate, even if he had the better scoring chance. He will also turn the puck over, but he does have the puck on his stick a lot.

Voracek has a ton of offensive ability as shown by his point production. He plays both at even strength and on the power play. Voracek registered a career high 11 power play goals to go with his 33 power play points. He averaged 3:15 of ice time while on the power play.

The Flyers have approximately $61 million invested in only 15 players for the 2016-17 season.