The Philadelphia Flyers announced during their morning skate for Wednesday's game against Tampa Bay that defenceman Braydon Coburn has been given a new four-year contract.

Coburn is entering his fifth full season as a Flyer, having missed just seven games over the previous four campaigns.

"We are happy to have Braydon under contract," general manager Paul Holmgren said in a statement. "He is and will continue to be a big part of our defense corps."

Coburn was acquired in a trade with Atlanta late in the 2006-07 season and is in the final year of a deal that pays him $3.4 million US. The extension will run through the 2015-16 season.

The club did not release financial details for the Shaunavon, Sask., native, who was three assists in 14 games so far this season.

Coburn, who's in his sixth season with Philadelphia, 355 games with the Flyers, Coburn has 26 goals and 109 points in 355 regular-season games with the Flyers, along with 313 penalty minutes and a plus-32 rating.

Atlanta's first-round pick in 2003 (eighth overall) has two goals and 16 points in 54 playoff contests with Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, captain Chris Pronger, now practising with a visor after an eye injury scare, returned to the lineup for the team's game against the Lightning.

Pronger has missed the last six games after taking a stick to the eye against Toronto on Oct. 24.

The Flyers (8-4-2) got goals from eight different players in Saturday's 9-2 victory over Columbus. Six Flyers have at least five goals and the club leads the NHL with 56.

The Lightning (7-5-2) have won six of eight overall. The club came back from a three-goal deficit Sunday to top Florida 4-3 in a shootout.