PHILADELPHIA – Owen Tippett had no doubts where he wanted to be for the next eight years.
That’s why he signed on the dotted line for a new contract which will pay him $49.6 million ($6.2 million AAV) over that span to ply his trade in Philadelphia with the Flyers. The deal starts with the 2024-25 season.
Tippett, 24, was acquired from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Claude Giroux at the trade deadline two seasons back and he hasn’t disappointed.
After posting 27 goals in his first full season a year ago, Tippett is on pace to top that with 18 goals in 46 games this season.
Although he’s currently on leave with a lower-body injury, the Flyers hope to have him back after the NHL All-Star break sometime around Jan. 6.
Tippett gave his full support to the negotiations he had with general manager Daniel Briere. The player believes the organization’s commitment to a rebuild is a sound plan.
“It’s pretty special to be part of that group in there for the next eight years,” Tippett said, gesturing toward the Flyers’ locker room. “Ever since I came over, me and my family were real comfortable being in the city of Philadelphia. With the fan base we have, you can see how exciting it is what we have growing.
“There are a lot of moving parts. But this is where I want to be. This is home now. It’s just super special.”
Tippett was asked what the next steps are in his career. Coach John Tortorella has already mentioned that Tippett has become more of a complete player (a notion seconded by Briere) and that’s what will make a very valuable player in the years to come.
“There’s a lot to build off of, a lot to develop,” Tippett admitted. “I want to become a complete player.”
Before the injury, Tippett was playing some of his best hockey. He had scored six goals in his last seven games.
Briere alluded to that in his press conference on Friday to announce the contract and even kidded that maybe the new deal had provided some extra inspiration.
“I had an idea of it (the contract) maybe three weeks, a month ago,” Tippett confirmed. “I wasn’t too concerned, didn’t know that much of what was going on. I had an idea but at the same time I just wanted to play.”
To have his future secured has to be a load off Tippett’s mind. Now he can concentrate on the game itself.
“When they came with that offer, it was hard to say no,” Tippett said.
Having friends here played a role, too.
“Yeah, it’s a huge part of it,” he said. “The group we have in there is really special. We’re all really good friends. We see each other every day. It goes to show when everyone is pulling in the same direction good things happen.
“Every guy in there will fight for the guy next to you. It’s a huge part of why I wanted to commit.”
