Blog - Internet Trading Danny Briere? Sabres could be potential trade partner

[Irishjim]

This is pure speculation.

by

Travis Hughes

When Danny Briere signed with the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent in the summer of 2007, we all assumed that he would be here until the end of his eight-year, $52 million contract.

Those terms were massive at the time and the Flyers were laughed at around the league for handing out such an albatross contract. They'd be paying Briere $6.5 million against the cap at age 37. Ha, idiots.

But as Briere prepares to enter Year 6 of that contract, the chance the Flyers could trade Briere suddenly seems less far-fetched than it did six years ago or even two years ago. Let's speculate.

Before a Danny Briere trade actually happens, several questions have to be asked and answered:

• Is there a willing trade partner out there?
  
• Is it worth trading him, given what the Flyers would lose and what they could potentially gain?
  
• Would Briere waive his no-trade clause?
  

To the first point, Sabres blog <a href="http://www.diebytheblade.com/2012/7/31/3205982/buffalo-sabres-philadelphia-flyers-trade-danny-briere" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(190, 61, 18); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " target="_blank">Die By The Blade asked this exact question today.

With the contract situation five years in the past, it makes sense to ask this question. Would the Buffalo Sabres actually bring back Daniel Briere into the fold?

Since leaving Buffalo, Briere has played 330 games and put up 267 points in five years. His playoff statistics are even more impressive with 72 points in 68 games. His 37 goals over five years during the playoffs are more than the Sabres have had as a team in the playoffs since he has left.

Briere's a good player and a team like Buffalo in need of some scoring punch might be interested in acquiring him. Regardless, the league knows he's a good player. The problem with a potential trade has always been his contract. Why would a team take that thing?

But that's just it: Looking at the front-loaded structure of Briere's deal, there's really not all that much money left to be paid to him, at least relatively speaking. He's received $40 million of the $52 million total he'll earn in these eight seasons.

<table border="1" class="zebra" style="margin: 8px auto; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 1px; border-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); " width="100%"> <thead style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <th style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(212, 212, 212); "> Year</th> <th style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(212, 212, 212); "> Salary</th> <th style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(212, 212, 212); "> Cap Hit</th> <th style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(212, 212, 212); "> Age</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody id="" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <tr class="even" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 2007-08</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> $10,000,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> $6,500,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 30</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> 2008-09</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> $8,000,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> $6,500,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> 31</td> </tr> <tr class="even" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 2009-10</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> $8,000,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> $6,500,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 32</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> 2010-11</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> $7,000,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> $6,500,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> 33</td> </tr> <tr class="even" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 2011-12</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> $7,000,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> $6,500,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 34</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> 2012-13</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> $7,000,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> $6,500,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> 35</td> </tr> <tr class="even" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 2013-14</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> $3,000,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> $6,500,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 36</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> 2014-15</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> $2,000,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> $6,500,000</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> 37</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

When looking at this deal from the Flyers perspective, all we think about is the cap hit. After all, salary isn't much of a big deal to this team. That's why they're able to send offer sheets that pay guys $27 million over the course of 11 months. The number that matters most to the Flyers is the cap hit, because its really the only number that truly limits how much they have to spend. Being the rich kid is fun, you guys.

For many teams, though, the cap isn't the limiting number. It's the salary -- the actual money due to the player each season. There are any number of sub-cap teams out there that could be interested in a guy like Briere given this -- Carolina immediately comes to mind given their clear desire to spend money this offseason in improving their team -- but since Die By The Blade originally broached this subject, let's focus on the Sabres.

The Sabres are indeed a cap team under new owner Terry Pegula, but they could easily fit Briere's $6.5 million cap hit in on their roster even with two RFA's to pay this summer. It's only more pleasant that most of the actual money due to Briere has already been paid. Just one $7 million season and $12 million in total due to Briere over the next three years? Seems pretty damn reasonable. Could even be considered a bargain since the cap hit likely won't limit them much if at all.

So, the answer is yes: After five years of thinking a team would never take Briere in a trade, other teams could definitely be interested in acquiring Danny Briere.

Yet the biggest question for the Flyers is likely No. 2 on our list here: Is it worth it to trade him?

Again, the Flyers will spend to the cap -- over the cap if you're considering Chris Pronger's LTIR status in its truest sense -- over the next three years of Briere's deal. We can't look at him as a $3 million player in 2013-14. He's still a $6.5 million player to us over the next three years. And is Briere going to be worth that money for the next three years?

Well, that's pretty dependent on how well he bounces back after an awful 2011-12 season. Briere had his worst full season as a Flyer, scoring just 16 goals and 49 points in 70 games. He had scored at least 26 goals -- and twice over 30 goals -- in every other non-injury plagued season as a Flyer before last year.

What's encouraging is that Briere's shooting percentage last season was also an anomaly -- 9.2 percent versus his career average of 14.7 percent. We should expect that number to come back up in a big way this season, and it's possible that Briere could return to 30 goal form. If that's the case, the Flyers would have to get a nice return back for Briere to make it worth a trade. Losing 30 goals would ... you know, hurt.

Then again, there's no guarantee Briere ever scored 30 goals again. A bounce back would be more of a certainty if he were younger, but he's 34 and will be 35 the next time he plays a meaningful NHL game.

We all know the Flyers strength is up front and that they have holes on defense. Those holes will only get bigger once Kimmo Timonen retires, potentially as soon as next summer. Whether they have an in-house solution for this upcoming season or not, they're going to need to find a way to replace Kimmo's minutes.

Buffalo is a fantastic trade option in that sense. Briere clearly has a history there and the fans still have a soft spot for him, and at the same time, there's a serious glut of defensemen on Lindy Ruff's roster.

Any and all trade discussions involving Buffalo defensemen have to begin with 22-year-old future No. 1 defenseman Tyler Myers. He's locked up through 2019 but by shedding Briere, the Flyers would actually save money against the cap with Myers' $5.5 million cap hit. Myers could find a nice home on the Flyers top pairing for the next seven years.

Of course, I'm not sure if that's a deal Buffalo would be interested in -- Briere's clearly on the downside of his career and Myers is a future No. 1 -- but Sabres fans over at Die By The Blade do seem excited about the possibility of getting Briere back in their mix as both a goal scorer and a mentor to their younger forwards. Maybe they could even get something out of Ville Leino if he could return to Briere's wing, which obviously ups No. 48's value to them.

Perhaps it's a deal that makes sense for both sides, but to make this even, the Flyers would certainly have to throw in another piece or two. Myers is just too young and too good.

So let's continue down the list, then: Robyn Regehr, Andrej Sekera or Jordan Leopold all seem like solid options. A quick glance at these three (numbers in parentheses are where they rank on the team, unless otherwise noted):

<table border="1" class="zebra" style="margin: 8px auto; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 1px; border-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); " width="100%"> <thead style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <th style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(212, 212, 212); "> Player</th> <th style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(212, 212, 212); "> Age</th> <th style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(212, 212, 212); "> GP</th> <th style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(212, 212, 212); "> ES TOI/G</th> <th style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(212, 212, 212); "> PP TOI/G</th> <th style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(212, 212, 212); "> Corsi Rel QoC</th> <th style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(212, 212, 212); "> Cap Hit (Yrs Left)</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody id="" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <tr class="even" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> Robyn Regehr</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 32</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 76</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 15:54 (7)</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> --</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 1.153 (1)</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> $4.02 million (1)</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> Jordan Leopold</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> 31</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> 79</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> 18:02 (2)</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> 1:59 (3)</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> 0.203 (6)</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; "> $3 million (1)</td> </tr> <tr class="even" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; "> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> Andrej Sekera</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 26</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 69</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 17:06 (4)</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 0:51 (4)</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> 0.878 (2)</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px; outline: 0px; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 225) !important; "> $2.75 million (3)</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Sekera's a fantastic puck mover but isn't too physical. Regehr's a big shutdown guy who can go up against top competition but isn't as great with the puck. Leopold's strength is definitely his mobility and his puck skills as well, but he hasn't been put up against the other team's top competition.

All things considered, Sekera looks like a fantastic choice if the Sabres were to ask too much for Tyler Myers -- which we'd have to assume they would. Sekera can play top-4 minutes, can play on the power play, is still a young player and is locked up at a reasonable number for the next several seasons.

He's not a No. 1 guy but he'd definitely be a nice asset to have on the Flyers' blueline.

Timonen - Coburn

Grossmann - Sekera

Meszaros - Schenn

Gervais

... and $3.75 million in extra cap space to plug up the lost offense?

Would it be worth giving up 30 goals for Sekera? Perhaps not, but again, there's no guarantee Briere ever returns to that form. I'd give up a declining one-way forward in Briere for an immediate solution to any problems the Flyers' defense might face, especially considering the Flyers' strength at the center position.

The Flyers would have over $7 million in space (without even considering Chris Pronger on LTIR) and a forward unit that looks like this. Goal totals from last year in parentheses:

Voracek (18) - Giroux (28) - Hartnell (37)

Simmonds (28) - Schenn (12) - Read (24)

Fedotenko (9) - Couturier (13) - ??/Talbot (19)

Wellwood (5) - Talbot/?? - Rinaldo (2!)

Plenty of guys left on the market to fill that hole. Hey, they'd even have plenty of space for Shane Doan. (lol see what i did there?)

And that brings us to the final question: Would Briere waive his no-trade clause to go to Buffalo? I'd have to imagine it's one of the few places he'd rather be than Philadelphia. He always talks fondly of the city in which he realized his NHL potential, and he still has several close friends on the roster. It's also much closer to family in Quebec.

All things considered, the Flyers and Sabres could be phenomenal trade partners and Danny Briere could be right at the center of a deal. Buffalo gets a beloved hero back in town with hopes of big-time offense, while the Flyers shed some salary while also shoring up the defense with any number of strong options. Would you pull the trigger?

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[flyercanuck]

If Buffalo would trade Myers for Briere I'll drive down, pick up Briere, drive him to Buffalo, pick up Myers (even if he's in Calgary) and take him to Philly. No way in H.E. double hockey sticks they do that. As for the other 3...I'd rather have briere.

I can see a team who thinks they're a scorer away from a cup giving up something of value. But then Briere has to want to go there.

[murraycraven]

If Buffalo would give us Myers for Briere I would do it in a heartbeat... there is no way that Buffalo would even consider that deal. As for Danny for the other dmen... no way. I will keep Briere...

[bullies]

I find it strange that BSH even wrote an article about this. It's probably in response to DBB's article about the same topic, but BSH usually won't touch "speculation" articles. Sabres fans seem to love the idea of getting Briere back in the mix. Tyler Myers had a down year, but he should bounce back. Our young core of centers would benefit from getting time in their natural position.

would I take this trade? Absolutely (as long as we can still pay G, Couts, and Schenner in 2014)

do I think this is a realistic possibility? nope

[orange_crush]

if this trade was reality...it would be a great trade for us...Myers is potentially another Pronger...

[flyerrod]

if this trade was reality...it would be a great trade for us...Myers is potentially another Pronger...

STOP THE PRESSES!!!!! I actually agree with you on this.......If they were to trade Myers away, it could only be a parting shot before the GM got fired........Hell, he might even get fired because someone thought he might trade Myers away.....

[flyercanuck]

if this trade was reality...it would be a great trade for us...Myers is potentially another Pronger...

Whhhhhhhoooooooaaaaaaaa!!!!!

Did you actually just make a positive post?

(Somewhere in Rochester, a man rightfully takes back his Throne of Pessimism.)

[orange_crush]

Whhhhhhhoooooooaaaaaaaa!!!!!

Did you actually just make a positive post?

(Somewhere in Rochester, a man rightfully takes back his Throne of Pessimism.)

I tell it like it is..

[orange_crush]

STOP THE PRESSES!!!!! I actually agree with you on this.......If they were to trade Myers away, it could only be a parting shot before the GM got fired........Hell, he might even get fired because someone thought he might trade Myers away.....

you should always agree with me..

[The Quigster]

Only Homer gives up the farm on deal like this. The only reason Buffalo would be interested in Danny is to babysit Ville Leino. The only way I would accept is if they threw Vanek in. Cooter,Little Schenn and Danny, for Vanek and Myers. Homer and I could live with that.

[flyerrod]

you should always agree with me..

I still have not figured out if you are Eeyore incarnate or Ben Stein........

@flyercanuck LMAO at the Throne of Pessimism

[flyerrod]

The surprise on my face from a positive post from our friend OC....

[radoran]

Yawn. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Danny Briere is not going to Buffalo for Tyler Myers.

He may agree to go to Buffao.

Buffalo's not trading Myers.

[flyerrod]

@Irishjim

If we are going to speculate, I would seriously consider a Briere/Leighton trade for Sekera/Enroth. Enroth is RFA next year and Sekera 2.75 mil for the next 3. The Flyers would shed cap hit money while Buffalo would return a fan favorite who still has some gas in the tank and will be a bargain at 7/3/2 mil for the next 3 years. The Flyers also get a legitimate back up who can actually win games. The biggest part of this trade is cap relief for the Flyers with Briere going off the books at 6.5 mil a season for the next 3 years. I would like to speculate about Myers but that will not happen unless they intend to turn Buffalo into Vancouver sans playoff wins....(Ya know, rioting and all....)

[radoran]

@Irishjim

If we are going to speculate, I would seriously consider a Briere/Leighton trade for Sekera/Enroth. Enroth is RFA next year and Sekera 2.75 mil for the next 3. The Flyers would shed cap hit money while Buffalo would return a fan favorite who still has some gas in the tank and will be a bargain at 7/3/2 mil for the next 3 years. The Flyers also get a legitimate back up who can actually win games. The biggest part of this trade is cap relief for the Flyers with Briere going off the books at 6.5 mil a season for the next 3 years. I would like to speculate about Myers but that will not happen unless they intend to turn Buffalo into Vancouver sans playoff wins....(Ya know, rioting and all....)

Why on Earth would Buffao give up a goalie that they have actually considered trading Miller to let start for Leighton?

Danny Briere is going nowhere.

And that will be my sig for the next year if he's ever traded.

NOT. GOING. ANYWHERE.

(this is not because I particularly like the player, but because of the team's commitment and Briere's position as live-in mentor for Giroux and Couturier. Saying "we need to make a move" to players who don't have active NTC/NMCs is one thing, telling a guy who still produced well in the playoffs that "we don't want you" is quite another from an organization).

[flyerrod]

Why on Earth would Buffao give up a goalie that they have actually considered trading Miller to let start for Leighton?

Danny Briere is going nowhere.

And that will be my sig for the next year if he's ever traded.

NOT. GOING. ANYWHERE.

(this is not because I particularly like the player, but because of the team's commitment and Briere's position as live-in mentor for Giroux and Couturier. Saying "we need to make a move" to players who don't have active NTC/NMCs is one thing, telling a guy who still produced well in the playoffs that "we don't want you" is quite another from an organization).

Speculation:

a supposition, theory, or opinion arrived at through speculating

If Briere was looking to move closer to family.....Buffalo is a fantastic trade option in that sense. Briere clearly has a history there and the fans still have a soft spot for him, and at the same time, there's a serious glut of defensemen on Lindy Ruff's roster.

The Enroth part is also speculating. If they really are going forward with Ryan Miller in net, Enroth is not going to want to be there. What he sees in Philly is a chance to play and if not, he will be RFA next season anyhow and ready to move.

I just thought that if we were going to SPECULATE, it should at least have a plausible benefit for both teams.

[radoran]

Speculation:

a supposition, theory, or opinion arrived at through speculating

If Briere was looking to move closer to family.....Buffalo is a fantastic trade option in that sense. Briere clearly has a history there and the fans still have a soft spot for him, and at the same time, there's a serious glut of defensemen on Lindy Ruff's roster.

The Enroth part is also speculating. If they really are going forward with Ryan Miller in net, Enroth is not going to want to be there. What he sees in Philly is a chance to play and if not, he will be RFA next season anyhow and ready to move.

I just thought that if we were going to SPECULATE, it should at least have a plausible benefit for both teams.

His family lives with him in South Jersey - they have played hosts in the past two seasons for Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier.

But, hey, carry on. I concur that Buffalo is likely one of the few places he would accept a deal to.

I just don't see Homer approaching Darcy or Darcy approaching Homer on the issue of trading or acquiring Briere.

If the salary cap collapses and Homer needs to move salary, things can obviously change.

[The Quigster]

I wonder if they would be willing to part with Ville?

[Polaris922]

Briere isn't the commodity he used to be and is slowly declining. You'd have to give up more for Myers than him I believe.

As for any goalie really, I don't think it matters whether they're behind Miller or Bryzgalov, either way little to no playing time.

[Vanflyer]

@Irishjim

I get the idea, but I really can't take that blog to seriously. It lost my attention as soon as I got to the part that the Flyers were a laughing stock for signing Briere. That is completely untrue. There were three marquee centers that year as UFA: Drury, Gomez and Briere. Of the three, Briere was the cheapest signing. Drury was bought out and Gomez is wallowing in Montreal. Even the time of the signing it was good value for the market.

Secondly, if briere was to go anywhere, it would be to a team that has the best shot at winning the cup. That does not fit Buffalos description to me. I actually could see him in Phoenix (where he started) more readily than Buffalo.

[Vanflyer]

The surprise on my face from a positive post from our friend OC....

I like what you have done with your hair.

[Vanflyer]

I concur that Buffalo is likely one of the few places he would accept a deal to.

Why? People knock Philly for various things, but have you ever been to Buffalo?? It really is a miserable place to live.

[flyerrod]

Why? People knock Philly for various things, but have you ever been to Buffalo?? It really is a miserable place to live.

I am guessing you don't know rad because he lived in Buffalo for a couple of years. He might have a slightly different take on the place than you do van....

[Vanflyer]

I am guessing you don't know rad because he lived in Buffalo for a couple of years. He might have a slightly different take on the place than you do van....

I had a client that was located in Rochester and Buffalo. I know both places very well. I am not trying to talk poorly about it, but both are barren industrial towns. The summers are good, but the other three seasons are very hard to live in- for the given type of communities that they offer, as compared to Philly.

[Irishjim]

@Irishjim

I get the idea, but I really can't take that blog to seriously. It lost my attention as soon as I got to the part that the Flyers were a laughing stock for signing Briere. That is completely untrue. There were three marquee centers that year as UFA: Drury, Gomez and Briere. Of the three, Briere was the cheapest signing. Drury was bought out and Gomez is wallowing in Montreal. Even the time of the signing it was good value for the market.

Secondly, if briere was to go anywhere, it would be to a team that has the best shot at winning the cup. That does not fit Buffalos description to me. I actually could see him in Phoenix (where he started) more readily than Buffalo.

remember this article is pure speculation and quite honestly there isn't much else to write about