Flyers sign Samuel Morin to one-year contract extension

Big Sam is back. The Philadelphia Flyers signed defenseman Samuel Morin to a one-year contract on Monday afternoon. The contract has an average annual value (AAV) of $750,000.

Morin, 26 (7/12/1995), is heading into his seventh professional season. Last year he appeared in 20 games for the Flyers and scored his first NHL goal on March 27, 2021. He also appeared in seven games for the Flyers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, recording two assists.

Prior to last season, Morin was limited by injury to a total of 28 games (AHL and NHL combined) over the previous three campaigns. Before that stretch he played two full seasons for the Phantoms, picking up 16 points (3G, 13A) in 74 games in 2016-17 and 19 points (4G, 15A) over 76 games in 2015-16.

A native of Lac-Beauport, Quebec, Morin was drafted by the Flyers in the first round (11^th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

The Flyers experimented moving Morin to left wing to bring physicality to the lineup on a more consistent basis, but that didn’t work out. Instead, he’ll be the Flyers’ seventh defenseman next season behind Ivan Provorov, Ryan Ellis, Travis Sanheim, Rasmus Ristolainen, Cameron York (likely), and Justin Braun.

Samuel Morin expressed his desire to return to Philadelphia in his exit interview.

“Obviously, I want to stay. My contract is up. The stuff I bring, I don’t think a lot of guys bring it in this organization. It’s kind of pretty rare now. I think I’m probably one of the toughest guy in the league to be honest. Obviously next year, we’re going to play those big, boys in the West and I’m kind of ready to prove it. I think I can bring something that no one here can bring. Obviously, it’s not up to me. I feel I’m a Flyer. And yeah, for sure. I want to stay.”

The big defenseman is happy to have a full summer of training heading into next season.

“When I started playing defense down there in the Phantoms, I was like, man, when I do get a full summer training, I’m going to feel good. Because it was still a rehab season for me, kind of. When you tear your ACL twice and still a little bit of pain in my knee, it takes like a year or two before you feel 100 percent. I just see myself next year. I think I got to be skating even better, like without pain and stuff. I’m gonna be buzzing. I’d be ready to go.”

With Morin under contract, the Flyers now have $11.7 million in cap space, per Cap Friendly. Carter Hart and Travis Sanheim are their restricted free agents, and Chuck Fletcher is still looking to add a backup goalie and depth center.