Read it and smile: Flyers give center long-awaited extension

by Bob Herpen
Phanatic Hockey Editor 

One of the last remaining questions as far as contracts were concerned was finally solved Friday afternoon, when the Philadelphia Flyers and Matt Read agreed to a four-year extension worth a reported $14.5 million.

“We’re excited and happy we finally got this done,” said Flyers GM Paul Holmgren in announcing the deal. “This has been going on for the better part of the summer. We’re happy and I’m sure Matt’s happy. He’s one of the young, core players on our team.”

Perhaps you can forgive Holmgren for calling Read young, since he picked up a 33-year-old Vinny Lecavalier and 35-year-old Mark Streit over the Summer.

Read, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent following the completion of this upcoming season, is set to make $1 million (according to NHLNumbers.com) from his initial three-year deal signed in 2011. He'll get a significant upgrade once the new pact kicks in next year.

The 27-year-old Bemidji State product totaled 11 goals and 13 assists last season, and was on pace for a stellar sophomore campaign, except for torn muscles in his rib cage which kept him sidelined during the middle portion of the schedule.

"I’m pretty excited, very happy and pretty relieved,” said Read. “It’s been an ongoing process, but I’m very happy about it. My first two years have been overwhelming for me. Its crazy that I’m even playing in the NHL, but to get this second contract with this organization is a dream come true. I couldn’t be with a better organization and I’m thrilled to be here for a few more years.”

It's a tremendous vote of confidence to those around the hockey world both inside and outside mainstream media who had Read pegged as the most likely trade candidate when weighing options between he, Sean Couturier and Brayden Schenn due to Read's "advanced" age. It is also a rare event that the Flyers will sign and keep a player in the "prime" of his career age-wise compared to the rest of the NHL for a reasonable amount of money per season and for the length of the deal.

A native of Ontario, Read has contributed 35 goals and 71 points in 121 appearances over the last two NHL seasons. He totaled three goals and five points through two playoff rounds in the Spring of 2012.