The Philadelphia Flyers have long been rumored to be working on a contract extension with one of their offseason acquisitions. The deal was completed on Monday night.
Philadelphia Flyers Sign Christian Dvorak to 5-Year Extension
Forward Christian Dvorak, signed a one-year deal by the Flyers in July. He has done well in establishing himself in a key role down the middle for the Flyers this season. The Flyers rewarded Dvorak with a contract extension, announcing a five-year deal with a $5.15 million average annual value on Monday.
Dvorak, who turns 30 on February 2nd, has nine goals and 25 points for the Flyers in 39 games.
So why did the Flyers decide on an extension for Dvorak, and why now?
DONE DEAL FOR DVO. 📃✍️
We have agreed to terms with forward Christian Dvorak on a five-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $5.15M. https://t.co/0jLng32Pec
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 6, 2026
A Career Year and a History
Dvorak’s numbers this season are on pace to overtake his previous career marks. His best season was in 2019-20, when he scored 18 goals and had 38 points in 70 games for the Arizona Coyotes. The head coach that season in Arizona was current Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet.
Dvorak is right on pace to match his goal total, but hits the halfway point of the 2025-26 season just 13 points away from matching his career high. He should easily surpass that number and have the first 40-point season of his career.
A second-round pick by the Coyotes in 2014, Dvorak has thrived under Tocchet in the past and appears to be doing so once again in Philadelphia. His ability to play all facets of the game, including special teams, make him versatile. His production has been a welcome addition to the Flyers roster as well, ranking third on the team in points this season.
Dvorak has 114 goals and 274 points in 573 NHL games in his career. He spent five seasons in Arizona, then four in Montreal before signing with the Flyers this offseason.
Why Now for Dvorak’s Extension?
So why did the Flyers want to get this done now? For one, a comparable contract extension was signed just a few days ago, with Alexander Wennberg finalizing a three-year deal with a $6 million AAV. That seems to have set the bar for what Dvorak’s deal would look like.
Dvorak is also a pending unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. With the Flyers still holding a playoff spot, a decision on whether to keep him through the season and risk having him walk in free agency or move him at the deadline was looming without action. The Flyers made their decision with the new contract that will keep Dvorak in the Orange and Black for the next five seasons.
It’s the difference between the Flyers signing Dvorak now and being patient on a deal with Trevor Zegras. Zegras is a pending restricted free agent, so the Flyers would retain his rights beyond July 1.
Main Photo: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images