Briere's Contract Breeds Concern for Flyers Forthcoming Free Agents

"Oh, God. Another anti-Briere article."

Not so much, though I wouldn't call it a pro-Briere article either. 

Please make note that the motivation behind this posting does not sit entirely on Danny's failed penalty shot last night in the Winter Classic. For some time now, I've grown more and more frustrated with Briere's regular season performances in reflection to his current contract;

So what's the argument for Danny Boy? The biggest one has got to be his Playoff stats. Many believe Briere's worth exists in the post-season. It was only a year and a half ago he set a franchise record by tallying 30-points in the playoffs. 

In fact, Daniel has played in a total of 97-Playoff games and recorded a total of 96-points in that span. 

Hard to argue against that. I admit. 

There's no denying Danny Briere is a great player all around. He's successful on the ice, as well as off it. We all remember him providing shelter to Claude Giroux as sort of a mentor role. And today he does the same for the young, up & coming Sean Couturier. 

Teammates love #48, and it's easy to find the reasons why. 

But speaking from a practical standpoint, the remaining three league years (not counting the current 2011-12 season) on the Flyers most expensive contract (Briere) could wind up depreciating the potential on this roster rather than romancing it. 

Daniel's written agreement with Philadelphia ends after the 2014-2015 season. Until that chapter comes to a close, (as it currently stands) the Flyers will experience twenty-two players coming off their contract years. In the mix of those players are names like --

Danny Briere is currently 34-years old, and by the time his contract's through he'll be 37. 

Of those players I listed above, the average age is 24.25 years old. What does that number prove? That proves that the average player coming up on a contract year is going to want big money. Or at least bigger than what they're earning today. 

The Philadelphia Flyers are no stranger to the salary cap's limit. In fact, they traditionally exceed the ceiling as a seasonal routine. But that's just because we have an owner and a general manager who fight tooth and nail to give their fans a contending squad year after year, and they accomplished this feat essentially every month of April. 

But it's because we operate at the limit that I pick on Danny Briere the most. If he were more consistent throughout the regular season, the money wouldn't be much of an issue to me. Whether you agree or disagree with my point, one thing's for certain -- Paul Holmgren will NOT be able to re-sign some very considerable talent forthcoming. And because Danny demands the most of any Flyer (salary-wise and cap dollars) it's his cap hit that contributes the most to that verifiable truth. Unless the cap is risen to $80 - 100-million, this team is destined for major concerns in the very near future.

"He's Captain Playoffs!"

Alright. Yes, his stats in the post-season are nothing short of extraordinary. But two things;

1. We must first MAKE IT to the Playoffs, and...
2. Like I said, he's 34-years old. These crowning achievements are due to begin tapering off. 

I don't hate or dislike Briere. I'm sure he's a nice guy, and from what we've seen in the HBO 24/7 series, he's a loving and outstanding father. Overall, he's a positive piece to humanity. 

But this is business. Throats are cut on the paths to the Stanley Cup.

What to do?

Again, Danny has a No-Movement Clause on his contract. The definition for this is, "a player cannot be traded, waived for a claim by another team, or assigned to the minors without his consent." ~ CapGeek.com

We saw something similar with Simon Gagne before shipping him off to Tampa after he waived his No-Trade Clause from his contract. Afterward the Flyers made what was called a "salary dump". 

The whole point to a salary dump is not WHO you're getting in return for the deal. Instead the primary existence is to shed the player's contract and his cap hit from the books. 

I'm just spit balling here. 

Perhaps once this season is through, it'd be incumbent upon the Broad Street Bullies to do the same away with Briere and his contract. Of course....he'd have to waive the NMC. 

Let me conclude with once again saying that I don't believe Briere to be a drag, an anchor or a "Terrell Owens" to this Flyers club. I appreciate the successes he's brought to the Flyers throughout the years, but more often than not I'm noticing how I'm NOT NOTICING him. 

He's a ghost. Unless it's a stick infraction in the defensive zone or the occasional breakout performance, that $6.5-Million cap hit looms like a toothache. 

If this roster surely is "built for the future", then perhaps it's time this team's front office shows us they're preparing for it? 

(Flyers Multi-Media)