Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
By: Tyler J. Altemose (@TJamesAltemose)
Anthony SanFilippo, Inside Reporter for PhiladelphiaFlyers.com, announced on Twitter Monday afternoon that the Flyers have signed forward Scott Hartnell to a six-year contract extension.
The team’s Twitter feed confirmed the news.
Hartnell’s extension comes on the heels of another extension — that of forward Wayne Simmonds.
Last season, Hartnell recorded a career high in goals, 37, and tied his career record of 30 assists, to amass 67 points on the season. Coincidentally, he was a +19 on the season. It was good enough to land him a spot in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game.
The 6′ 2″ 210-pound forward from Regina, Saskatchewan, has become a fan favorite in recent years as the popularity of the hashtag “#hartnelldown” has grown on Twitter. Hartnell has used the hashtag’s popularity to start up a website dedicated to his charity, the #hartnelldown Foundation.
Hartnell was a major factor on the Flyers power play last year, scoring 16 power play goals. It was the most of any player on the team and second in the NHL only to James Neal of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
One of the longest-tenured Flyers, Hartnell was traded from the Nashville Predators along with defenseman Kimmo Timonen in June 2007.
UPDATE: Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly reported the deal to be worth $28.5 million at an average annual value of $4.75 million. That figure was confirmed by Renaud Lavoie of RDS. Chris Johnston of The Canadian Free Press reported the annual salary figures as follows:
- 2013-14: $6 million
- 2014-15: $5 million
- 2015-16: $5 million
- 2016-17: $5 million
- 2017-18: $4.5 million
- 2018-19: $3 million
This extension keeps Hartnell in Philadelphia through the 2018-19 season.
