Person familiar with negotiations tells AP Flyers captain Giroux agrees to 8-year extension

Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux agreed to an eight-year extension worth over $64 million Thursday, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the contract has not been signed and the extension not revealed by the Flyers.

The deal comes as Giroux was entering the final year of his contract and with the Flyers in the midst of reshaping a team that missed the playoffs last season.

A two-time 25-goal scorer, Giroux is the Flyers’ top play-making offensive threat. He had 13 goals and 35 assists for 48 points in 48 games last season.

Overall, he has 291 points (91 goals, 200 assists) in 333 career games spread over six seasons in Philadelphia.

The Flyers have already made several splashes over the past two weeks. They landed this summer’s most high-profile free agent by agreeing to terms with Vincent Lecavalier on a four-year contract Tuesday. Lecavalier was available after the Tampa Bay Lightning bought out the remaining years on their captain’s contract.

Philadelphia was also aggressive in freeing up salary cap space. The team bought out the contracts of forward Danny Briere, who has agreed to a deal with Montreal, and goalie Ilya Bryzgalov.

The Flyers did announce on Thursday that they will re-sign journeyman centre Adam Hall to a one-year deal. The Flyers acquired Hall by claiming him off waivers in April.