Sean Couturier, Flyers Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The Philadelphia Flyers have held on to a center capable of playing second-line hockey. According to NBC ProHockey Talk, Philadelphia re-signed Sean Couturier to a six-year, $26 million deal on Tuesday evening. 

Couturier has put up consistent numbers his past two seasons, though they are not capable of lighting up any scoresheet. Last year, he recorded 15 goals and 22 assists for 37 points, sixth-best on the team and two off of his career-best 39 he had in 2013-14. 

The 22-year-old is entering his fifth season in the NHL as he still has the opportunity to further develop his game within a Flyers side that is rebuilding its way to contention in the Eastern Conference. 

Flyers fans could see Couturier centering the second line, where he could be flanked by Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn. A spike in his numbers is in the cards if he can build a relationship with Simmonds, who scored 28 goals and added 22 assists last season.

Couturier plays decent two-way hockey with the ability to back-check, though he is not the fastest skater. He also brings a nice set of hands that possess the puck well. If handled correctly, even though he has significant time under his belt already, Couturier's deal could be viewed as a steal if he becomes an important piece of a Flyers side that sees playoff success.

The Flyers must see this too, as they locked him up until the 2020-21 season. Philadelphia is competing in one of the toughest divisions in the NHL in a Metropolitan Division that includes the likes of the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders.     

Stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com.