Mark Streit preparing to sign deal with Philadelphia Flyers after trade – NHL news
After having traded for New York Islanders captain Mark Streit, the Philadelphia Flyers are reportedly preparing to sign a deal with the veteran defenseman to a brand new contract. According to sources, both sides are looking forward to doing so seeing how
Streit is a player who can take teams to a new level.
For the past four seasons, Streit was an integral part of the New York Islanders and is now excited about being with a newer team and seeing some challenging moments ahead.
“Obviously I'm excited to get traded to Philadelphia,” Streit told the Flyers website. “Philly has an unbelievable team. It's a great franchise and a great city and it's a hockey town for sure. The fans there are great, and that's why I always liked playing
in Philly. The team is really good. It's well-structured. It's young and fast and it would be a great honor to play for the Flyers.”
The 35-year-old was becoming a free agent prior to the National Hockey League (NHL) Free Agency, which will kick off later on in July. New York, reportedly not as interested in giving him an extension for various reasons, traded him to Philadelphia for minor-league
forward Shane Harper and a fourth-round pick in the 2nd round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
“Mark is a player we would have had interest in on July 5,” Philadelphia general manager Paul Holmgren said. “We now have exclusive negotiating rights, and we are hopeful that we can get an agreement in place prior to him becoming [an unrestricted free agent].”
Streit, a native of Bern, Switzerland, was picked up by the Montreal Canadiens as the 262nd overall pick back in round-nine of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He participated in three regular seasons with his original draft team, followed by the New York Islanders
for the next four.
It was hard getting the New York Islanders back above the playoff line but Streit’s leadership abilities were able to do the task this time around as they ended at number-eight in the Eastern Conference with 55 points.
Updates should be expected in the later part of June.
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