Flyers sign D Erik Gustafsson

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today they have signed free agent defenseman Erik Gustafsson (GUHS-tahf-suhn) to a one-year contract worth an average annual value (AAV) of $3.0M, according to President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Chuck Fletcher.

"Erik is a mobile and skilled puck-moving defenseman who has produced well offensively both at even-strength and on the power play," said Fletcher. "We believe Erik will give us valuable minutes and be a nice addition to our group of young defensemen."

Below are news & notes on Gustafsson:

ERIK GUSTAFSSON (GUHS-tahf-suhn)
POSITION: Defense
PREVIOUS TEAM: Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks
DRAFTED: 2012 - 4th Round (93rd overall) by Edmonton Oilers
AGE: 28 (3-14-1992)
BORN: Nynashamn, Sweden
VITALS: 6'0", 197 lbs
SHOOTS: Left

* Gustafsson recorded 29 points (6g-23a) in 66 regular season games split between the Chicago Blackhawks (59gp) and the Calgary Flames (7gp) in 2019-20.

* He added four points, all assists, in 10 games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Flames in the Edmonton bubble.

* Prior to being traded to the Flames at the Trade Deadline, Gustafsson led all Blackhawks defensemen in power-play ice-time on average at 2:49 per-game and ranked third among Chicago d-men in overall average ice time (20:53).

* Over parts of four seasons in the NHL with the Blackhawks (2015-16 to 2019-20) and Flames (2019-20), Gustafsson has 119 points (28g-91a) in 221 regular season games.

* He has averaged nearly 20 minutes of ice time per game in his career (19:58).

* His best season came two years ago during the 2018-19 campaign when he posted 17 goals and 43 assists for 60 points in 79 games for Chicago... His 17 goals, and 13 power-play goals, tied for third among all NHL d-men.

* Internationally, Gustafsson helped lead Team Sweden to a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF World Championships.