FlightZone: Voracek Extended, Will Make 25k Less than Giroux

In case you missed it, the Philadelphia Flyers signed forward Jakub Voracek to an eight-year contract extension worth $8.25 million per.

Voracek & Giroux in the 5 seasons prior to signing $66 mil. deals: Giroux, 91g, 200a = 291 pts., Voracek 99g, 185a = 284 pts. #FlyersTalk

— John Boruk (@JohnBorukCSN) July 30, 2015

Voracek is an elite talent. He'll be paid as the 10th best talent in the #NHL and probably is just that. #Flyers pic.twitter.com/HjsXABvI6g

— Sean Tierney (@SeanTierneyTSS) July 30, 2015

There was at least one sobering reminder to be had:

#Flyers also have nearly $61 million committed to 15 players for 2016-17 season already. How much is that cap going up again?

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 30, 2015

Like I said yesterday Wednesday, super happy contract fun times for Philadelphia.

And now the news.

Central Division

The Blackhawks have struck a deal with the City of Chicago to build a new practice facility, complete with not one but two rinks. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Any article which begins by comparing construction of a Stanley Cup contender to building your own Lego Death Star has my attention. Anywho, Josh Lile believes the Dallas pipeline is full of prospects with character, skill, high hockey IQ and two-way ability. (WFAA)

Erik Haula and the Minnesota Wild are $425,000 apart, which isn't too bad in the grand scheme of things. (StarTribune)

Five reasons for why the Nashville Predators should trade Shea Weber: (Yahoo! Sports)

There definitely was opportunity this summer to change the goalie situation in St. Louis. If the Blues' decision to stick with the current goalie tandem blows up in their face, we'll see if it's just Ken Hitchcock's head that rolls. (RantSports)

And All The Rest

In a shocking development, all that arena uncertainty in Arizona had an impact on both UFA and RFA negotiations. (AZCentral)

Looking back at the last couple of years, Sabres owner Terry Pegula is able to call them "two of the most successful seasons we've ever had". He seems like a fantastic owner, genuinely. Try and imagine Ed Snider taking a similar long view of things. (CBS Sports)

He's not exactly Cody Franson, but Marek Zidlicky could still help the Boston d-corps. (ProHockeyTalk)

Speaking of Boston, Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs thinks that Peter Chiarelli's downfall was the inability to make tough roster decisions and do what must be done. (CSN New England)

We have a bridge to announce! The Montreal Canadiens sign forward Alex Galchenyuk to a two-year bridge contract worth $2.8 million per. (Montreal Gazette)

The days of Dainius Zubrus being a solid complementary player at the NHL level are probably over, but he's training for that or nothing after having been bought out. (NJ.com)

Before contract extension talks heated up between the Flyers and Camp Voracek, Head Coach Dave Hakstol flew out to have dinner with the forward in Europe. (Philly.com)

And finally, you have to give it to Jim Benning: when he calls someone a foundation piece, he means it. (ProHockeyTalk)

Work still being done on Sutter extension in VAN, but hearing five years is expected to be the term. AAV sounds like just under $4.4M.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 30, 2015

Thanks for reading! Be sure to give your thoughts on the Voracek extension below.