The Philadelphia Flyers have kickstarted their preparations for next season by signing an emerging talent to a contract extension. 24-year-old Right wing Nicholas Aube-Kubel is the man in question. Here’s everything you need to know.
The deal is set to to have an annual average value of $1.075M, running through the 2021-22 season.
After making his NHL debut in the heart of the 2018-19 season, the former second-round pick was ready to build on his 9 appearances and proved that by putting up 30 points for the Phantoms in 54 games
NAK is coming off of a strong end to his second season in the NHL. Of the 15 points he recorded in 36 games, 10 of those came in the team’s final 15 matchups before the big pause. NAK’s form was a huge part in pushing the Flyers into becoming the NHL’s hottest team, with his five goals in that span helping the team reach a 12-3-0 record.
When the playoffs rolled around, Nicholas Aube-Kubel scored 3 points in 13 appearances, but actually led the team in hits in the bubble with 52. This shouldn’t come as a surpise. Over his 36 regular season games, he led the team with 82 hits.
Currently an inhabitant on the team’s fourth line, Aube-Kubel could well be looking to unseat Tyler Pitlick, who is a pending free agent and was traded for in the midst of last season.
NAK is younger, cheaper, and was arguably the stronger player at times, bringing a slightly more physical skillset to the table that helps set the tone. If the Flyers don’t want to pay Pitlick, Aube-Kubel would be the perfect third-line replacement, allowing the team to continue to develop young talent on the bottom lines and keep the conveyor belt moving.
Photo Credit: Alex Mcintyre
