[Jlg-28]

Source: Couier Post.com

Flyers rookie centers Jeff Carter and Mike Richards have agreed in principle to identical three-year contracts worth more than $3 million each.

Last week, Flyers general manager Bob Clarke told the Courier-Post he would offer Carter and Richards, both 20, the maximum NHL rookie salary of $942,400, which he did Tuesday.

In fact, the two contracts are exactly the same, right down to the incentive clauses.

"It was consistent with what Bob suggested he would offer," Carter's agent, Rick Curran said, refusing to elaborate.

Since Carter and Richards were drafted in 2003, their maximum salary was set at $1.24 million, minus the mandatory 24 percent rollback agreed upon under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Under the new CBA, Carter and Richards are eligible for signing and performance bonuses of up to 30 percent of their salaries.

The two signings solidify the Flyers' immediate future at the center position.

Carter, the 11th player taken overall in 2003, is expected to replace Jeremy Roenick as the Flyers' top-line center. Roenick is expected to move to right wing.

Richards, the 24th player taken in 2003, could slide in as the Flyers' second-line center, ahead of checking line centers Keith Primeau and Michal Handzus.

The Flyers had until Thursday to sign Carter and Richards. If they had not come to terms, both prospects would have been eligible to re-enter Saturday's NHL draft.

Clarke might have a few other signings to announce today. Joining Carter and Richards in that 2003 draft class are center Colin Fraser, right wings Stefan Ruzicka, Rick Kozak and Kevin Romy, center Ryan Potulny, defenseman Alexandre Picard and goaltenders David Tremblay, Rejean Beauchemin and Ville Hostikka.

Of those, Ruzicka has the best chance of making the Flyers, while Beauchemin could step in as the Phantoms' goalie.

The Flyers also sent out qualifying offers to seven restricted free agents: goaltender Robert Esche, forwards Simon Gagne, Branko Radivojevic, Radovan Somik and Patrick Sharp and defensemen Kim Johnsson and Dennis Seidenberg.

Carter and Richards signed tryout contracts with the Phantoms and emerged as their two best forwards en route to winning the Calder Cup last month. Carter led the AHL in points (23), goals (12), shots (87) and power-play goals (5) during the Calder Cup playoffs.

Richards, who joined the Phantoms after the first round of the playoffs, recorded seven goals and eight assists in 14 playoff games.

Although their numbers are comparable, Carter and Richards play two different styles. Carter, a smooth-skating playmaker, has been compared to Mike Modano. Richards, a hard-working checker who can score, has been likened to Clarke.

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glad to see that we will have these two under contract for a few years at least , hopefully they do well iwith the big cl

[Chris]

This is really good news. These two players in my opinion, hold the key to the Flyers' success in the future.

[TonyFatt]

Originally posted by Jlg947528
Carter, the 11th player taken overall in 2003, is expected to replace Jeremy Roenick as the Flyers' top-line center. Roenick is expected to move to right wing.

Richards, the 24th player taken in 2003, could slide in as the Flyers' second-line center, ahead of checking line centers Keith Primeau and Michal Handzus.

Wow... isn't it a little early for all that?

[PitkanenRulez86]

Great to see these two guys get signed. Watching them on the Phantoms last year was awsome and I bet it will be even better when they are wearing orange and black