In the throes of a five-year postseason drought, the Philadelphia Flyers have reached the point where it is time to effectively end their rebuilding phase and jump back into the Stanley Cup Playoffs picture. Though, before the franchise can become relevant again, it must determine who fits its long-term vision. Philly general manager Daniel Briere believes Cam York is a key part of the squad's solution, and is thus signing him to a five-year, $25.75 million contract extension, per NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.
The young defenseman was a restricted free agent but is now fully committing himself to the organization that drafted him in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft. The Flyers are getting a potential bargain with this new contract. Despite York's inconsistencies during the 2024-25 campaign, he has flashed promise and could be on the verge of having a breakout year.
Will Flyers' Cam York put it all together in 2025-26?
The Anaheim, California native totaled four goals, 13 assists and 126 blocks while averaging almost 21 minutes of ice time in 66 games. Unfortunately, however, the biggest story involving him last season centered around something that happened off the ice. York and former head coach John Tortorella got into a heated verbal altercation in March, which reportedly contributed to the latter's subsequent firing.
York is hoping to put the whole conflict behind him as he tries to fulfill his ample potential. In a way, this new deal is a fresh start. Both the 24-year-old and the Flyers are expressing their trust in one another, eager to achieve great success in the next few years.
Under new HC Rick Tocchet, who helped the Vancouver Canucks return to the playoffs in 2023-24, there is hope that Philadelphia can take the next step. Perhaps the same can be said about York. Briere has made a number of moves to improve the roster this offseason, most notably signing center Christian Dvorak and goaltender Dan Vladar. But Philly is still relying heavily on its homegrown talent to give the team a big push in the right direction.
That includes the newly re-signed Cam York.