By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 
When the Flyers protected Scott Laughton from the Expansion Draft, it was clear Ron Hextall wanted to keep the 2012 first-round pick as part of the team's future plans in some way. The first step to that was a new contract for the restricted free agent.
Laughton and the Flyers agreed to a two-year deal on Tuesday.
The deal holds an average annual value of $962,500. Laughton will make $875,000 in the first year of the deal and $1.05 million in the second year.
The 23-year-old forward spent most of the 2016-17 season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, scoring 19 goals and adding 20 assists for 39 points in 60 games. In 109 career NHL games over the last three seasons, Laughton has scored nine goals and has 27 points.
Laughton appeared in just two games for the Flyers last season.
The Flyers have Anthony Stolarz, Alex Lyon, Taylor Leier and Cole Bardreau as remaining unrestricted free agents still left to sign.
