Flyers sign Owen Tippett to 8-year, $49.6 million extension

The Flyers have locked up winger Owen Tippett for the long haul.

The parties agreed to an eight-year, $49.6 million extension with a $6.2 million average annual value, the team announced Friday. Tippett, who turns 25 next month, has 30 points (18 goals, 12 assists) through 46 games this season. He is on injured reserve after sustaining a lower-body injury against Colorado last Saturday and leaving the game early.

“When we look at the upside, the age, his play, obviously what we’re trying to build — the character of the person, the way he’s handling himself,” general manager Danny Brière said. “Obviously, we’ve had a lot of talks internally. We’ve had a lot of talks with the coaching staff.

“They were all very supportive, starting with [coach John Tortorella]. You’ve heard his comments over the last few weeks. We’re very confident with what we’ve seen, and that’s why we were willing to make that commitment to Owen. He’s part of the core, and we’re excited.”

Before the injury, Tippett had been on a tear, with six goals and eight points over his last seven games. The Flyers have lost each of the three games he’s missed.

“It feels at times he’s just starting to realize how good he can be,” Brière said. “Power forwards like him, they’re tough to find; Power forwards that can score and create on their own, even tougher. We think there’s more there. We think he’s going to keep improving. He works hard.

“But the combination of power, scoring ability, leadership — the way he carries himself — all of that was just what made us feel like it was something we were willing and ready to commit to.”

The Flyers acquired Tippett from the Florida Panthers in March 2022 as part of the Claude Giroux trade, and he signed a two-year, $3 million extension with the Flyers that July. After struggling to find his footing in the NHL with Florida, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Tippett has blossomed as a power forward under John Tortorella with the Flyers.

The 10th overall pick in 2017 is second on the Flyers in goals, behind Travis Konecny (22), and is on pace for 31 goals and 52 points this season. Three of his goals have been game-winners. This comes on the back of a breakout 2022-23 campaign in which Tippett posted career-highs in goals (27), assists (22), and points (49).

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Beyond his scoring touch, Tippett also has recorded the top recorded skating speed in the NHL this season, according to NHL Edge. That came via a 24.21 mph burst on Jan. 10 against Montreal, which put him above the likes of Brayden Point, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid. He also clocked the third-hardest shot among NHL forwards this season with a 99.97-mph laser on opening night.

Tippett was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season. He will be 33 when the new deal expires.