Philadelphia Flyers bring back Alex Lyon. The team announced on Friday that the 27-year-old has agreed to a one-year contract extension worth $ 700,000 for the 2020-21 season. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent next month.

After staging three impressive campaigns as a Yale University safety net, Lyon signed with the Flyers as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Since joining the organization, Lyon have spent the majority of his time playing for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the American Hockey League. he is counted on to participate in NHL games from time to time.

Lyon are 5-4-1 with a 3.15 goals-against average and 0.893 save percentage in 16 NHL appearances to date. In the AHL, however, Lyon have been a consistent presence for Lehigh Valley averaging 2.73 goals against and a .913 save percentage in 145 games. In 2018, Lyon helped the Phantoms win the longest game in AHL history, stopping 94 of Charlotte Checkers 95 shots in 146 minutes and 48 seconds of play.

With a veteran keeper Brian Elliott ready to become an unrestricted free agent, Lyon could be an option to serve as Carter Hartthe safety net in 2020-2021. Of course, bringing Elliott back would be a much more ideal situation for the Flyers. In 31 games in 2019-2020, Elliott went 16-7-4 and registered a goals-against average of 2.87 and save percentage of 0.899. He’s done a great job helping Hart get wet in the NHL, so keeping him for another year or two might be in everyone’s best interest.

In all likelihood, expect Lyon to resume their role as the Phantoms’ No.1 goalie in 2020-2021. If his services are needed in the NHL, he at least has the track record to prove that he can be a suitable replacement if needed.