Jakub Voracek, Flyers Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The Philadelphia Flyers announced a long-term contract extension for Jakub Voracek on Thursday. The dynamic winger finished tied for fourth in the NHL in scoring last season with 81 points.

Frank Seravalli of TSN Hockey reported Voracek is set to earn $66 million over eight seasons for an annual average value of $8.25 million. He noted that will rank the right wing inside the league's top 10 based on his average salary.

Seravilli added the full financial breakdown on Friday:

Voracek, 25, is coming off the best season of his career with 22 goals and 59 assists to achieve a top-five finish in the scoring race. NHL Numbers shows he'll earn $4.5 million for the 2015-16 campaign before the new deal kicks in the following year.    

A first-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2007, he arrived to Philadelphia in a trade featuring Jeff Carter in 2011 and has steadily developed into a premier offensive threat. The Flyers are betting that upward trend will continue as he hits his prime.

The combination of Voracek and center Claude Giroux is as good as hockey has to offer when they are both clicking on all cylinders. Now their contracts reflect that, as they will earn a combined $17.25 million next season, per NHL Numbers.

Giving a player a monster contract extension after his breakout year always comes with some risk. That said, the Czech star has scored at least 45 points in five straight years, including 62 during the 2013-14 campaign, before tallying nearly a point per game last season.

It's a track record of success that makes him worth the investment for Philadelphia.