The Flyers and defenseman Nick Schultz have come to an agreement on a $4.5 million deal that will keep him in Philadelphia for the next two seasons. The deal comes just days after it was reported the two sides were looking to reach an agreement.

The Hockey News

Take another defenseman off the market come trade deadline day. The Philadelphia Flyers and Nick Schultz have come to terms on a two-year deal worth $2.25 million per season.

In 55 games with the Flyers this season, Schultz has registered two goals and 13 points, while skating just over 19 minutes per night. Schultz, 32, was originally signed by the Flyers in the off-season to a one-year, $1.25 million contract. The signing comes just days after word came that the Flyers and Schutlz were working on an extension. Talk about a quick negotiation.

Before coming to Philadelphia as a free agent, Schultz spent parts of three seasons in Edmonton before a trade sent him to Columbus. He was drafted in the second round of the 2000 draft, 33rd overall, by the Minnesota Wild. He spent nine seasons with the Wild, racking up a career-high 20 points in the 2009-10 campaign. His best goal scoring season came in 2003-04, when he tallied six goals in 79 games for the Wild.

The deal signifies that Philadelphia sees Schultz in their plans, but it’s hard to picture where he will fit in going forward. A crowded Flyers blueline already features Mark Streit, Braydon Coburn, Luke Schenn, Nicklas Grossman, and Andrew MacDonald, and they are all under contract for next season.

Michael Del Zotto will also be a restricted free agent and could be brought back by the Flyers next season. That’s not to mention Shayne Gostisbehere, Brandon Manning and Robert Hagg waiting in the minors.

News of the signing also comes on the day following the return of defenseman Kimmo Timonen to practice. Timonen is thought to be an option for some teams looking to add a defenseman at the deadline, and with Schultz no longer on the market – no matter how much interest there was in him – it may help drive up the value for unrestricted free agent defense help, which Timonen could be, come March 2.