It would appear that this is the first deal of any sort that the Flyers have reached since the season ended, so welcome to the 2013 offseason, folks.
Two days before the deadline to sign any remaining picks from the 2011 NHL Draft, the Flyers appear to have hit the undrafted free agency market again. Reports — originating late last night from Mikaël Lalancette of TVA and first brought to our attention earlier today by Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post — indicate that the team has signed defenseman Maxim Lamarche to a two-way entry-level deal.
Financial terms for the deal aren’t available yet and will likely be around the entry-level maximum of $925,000 per year. Technically it hasn’t yet been officially announced by either side, but given that teammates of his are tweeting about it, the deal looks to be done. The deal was officially announced by the team on Friday afternoon.
Lamarche, who played for Baie-Comeau of the QMJHL for the last four seasons, turns 21 this July, meaning he spent this past season as an overager in junior hockey. He finished the season with 9 goals and 43 points in 55 games; that point total ranked 12th in the Q among defensemen this season, and 7th if you adjust for points per game played.
The team lists him at 6’3″ and 218 pounds in size. He also played alongside recent Flyers undrafted signee Petr Straka while with Baie-Comeau.
The deal is the Flyers’ 42nd contract out of a possible 50 allowed for the 2013-14 season, pending the slide status of Scott Laughton and Anthony Stolarz as well as any potential buyouts. It appears unlikely that the team will extend a contract to their lone remaining 2011 major junior draftee, defenseman Colin Suellentrop, before the June 1 deadline.
