Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Would the Flyers deal Briere? (update)
UPDATE: We can put this rumor to bed. Sam Carchidi confirms Danny Briere is sidelined indefinitely with a concussion. He was injured when crashing into the boards during Saturday's practice.
The Philadelphia Flyers may use a compliance buyout on Briere this summer-- but only if he's healthy. The provision can't be applied to an injured player.
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There's talk the Philadelphia Flyers would consider trading Danny Briere before the early-April deadline, if odds of a 2012-13 playoff berth seem slim. According to Sportsnet's Darren Millard, the benefit of salary-cap relief, along with bolstering the talent reservoir for the future, may push the Flyers to ask Briere to waive his no-movement clause. And there's no doubt the proven high-end playoff performer would attract interest from around the league. His salary-cap hit would be the only turn-off ... for some.
With two additional years remaining on his current contract, the 35-year-old carries a hefty cap hit of $6.5 million. But Briere's actually salary beyond this season is $3 million and $2 million for 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively. The more frugal teams in the NHL would be all over that math.
Sportsnet's Brian Lawton and Brad May suggest the Phoenix Coyotes (with whom Briere played from 1997-2003) and Nashville Predators would be very interested in dealing for the veteran forward. Whether Briere would be willing to waive his NMC is an entirely different matter. For a shot at a Stanley Cup, he very well might. However, there's no guarantee the Flyers would be willing to part with Briere this season, even if the team is faltering.
