On March 6th, the Philadelphia Flyers agreed to a four-year contract extension with experienced defenseman Nick Seeler at an average annual value of $2.7 million. Seeler, a 30-year-old left-handed defender, will be under this contract until he turns 35.
The initial two seasons of the agreement will include a complete no-trade clause with bonus incentives attached.
4 year extension for Nick Seeler in Philly. $2.7 AAV.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 6, 2024
At the time of his contract extension, Seeler topped the league in shot blocks with 184, leading the nearest player behind him who had 171. He established himself as arguably the top shot-blocker in the NHL during the 2023-24 season, prompting general manager Daniel Briere to view him as too essential to trade or risk losing in free agency. The worth of his extension and what it might signify for the Flyers are insights that are worth examining.
Who Is Nick Seeler? Prior to joining the Flyers, Seeler wasn’t widely predicted to secure a lucrative deal like the $10.8 million contract he received. His NHL debut came in his age-24 season, featuring 22 games with the Minnesota Wild where he accumulated four points, a plus-10 rating, and 21 penalty minutes. After a single season with the Wild, he was waived and picked up by the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2019-20 season.
After playing six games with the Blackhawks that season, Seeler took the entire 2020-21 season off before signing with the Flyers in 2021-22, a decision that proved to be beneficial for his career trajectory. Recognized for his perseverance, he was nominated for the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2022-23.
Since joining the Flyers, Seeler has embodied the quintessential team player every team desires. He isn’t hesitant to engage in physical play, recording 313 hits in 183 games with the team, and he excels at blocking shots. Prior to securing his extension, he contributed a goal and 11 assists for a total of 12 points and a plus-15 rating in 63 games.
In terms of advanced statistics, Seeler’s on-ice expected goals per 60 minutes at 2.94 are tied for second on the Flyers among defensemen, while his expected goals against per 60 minutes at 2.44 ranks as the third-best. With a 54.61 expected goals percentage, he holds the second position on the Flyers and falls within the 86th percentile league-wide in this metric, marking a remarkable season performance.
However, concerns persist about how Seeler’s playing style will age, especially following an injury sustained from a blocked shot just days before signing his extension, leading to him being placed on injured reserve. Given the physical toll his style exacts on his body, the hope is that he can maintain his health long enough to justify the investment.
One significant advantage of retaining Seeler is the potential mentorship he can provide to 21-year-old defenseman Jamie Drysdale as the latter progresses in his career. If Seeler’s extension facilitates Drysdale’s development into a full-fledged NHL player, it could prove to be a highly beneficial move for the Flyers, as their partnership could be a perfect match.
Ultimately, only time will unveil the true impact of this signing. The terms of the contract appear fair for both parties, but its overall merit for Philadelphia remains uncertain at present. The worst-case scenario could involve an early buyout of his contract, while the best-case scenario sees Seeler contributing significantly to the Flyers for the next four seasons.
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