Salary cap could influence return of Flyers' Briere
Last Updated: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 | 11:32 AM ET
CBC Sports
Danny Briere has a lot of money and a lot of years left on his contract with the Flyers. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)Danny Briere's return from a groin injury looks like it's being put on hold, leading some hockey observers to wonder if the Philadelphia Flyers are more worried about the centre's health or their salary-cap situation.
Briere is doubtful to play Wednesday against Atlanta despite declaring himself "100 per cent" healthy after Monday's practice.
General manager Paul Holmgren indicated the centre suffered a setback in Tuesday's practice, and that he's being held out of the Atlanta game for health reasons.
"Right now we're not sure where he's at, he didn't feel that good today,'' the GM said. "That (sitting out) is probably the likely scenario. He doesn't feel a hundred per cent just yet — we'll hold him out.''
Briere has missed the team's last 19 games and there is speculation that the Flyers may be trying to buy time to figure out a way to fit Briere's salary under the league's $56.7 million US cap.
The 31-year-old's eight-year $52-million contract counts for $6.5 million against the cap each year, Briere's average annual salary.
The Ottawa Sun reported on Sunday that Philadelphia general manager Paul Holmgren is shopping Briere. Finding a buyer could be difficult considering the 31-year-old's front-loaded contract calls for him to be paid $8 million this season and next, and $7 million in each of the following three years.
Holmgren's other option, according to the Sun, may be to move defenceman Randy Jones or forward Joffrey Lupul.
Briere got through a three-game conditioning stint with the AHL's Philadelphia Phantoms without incident, and also said a decision on whether he plays Wednesday may have something to do with the Flyers' cap situation.
"It's a little bit of both, to be honest," said Briere, who added he has to be cleared by a team doctor before he is allowed to play.
Sitting out Wednesday could be a prudent move for Briere, who needed surgery for a torn abdominal muscle on Oct. 25, and hasn't played since leaving a game on Dec. 2 with a groin injury.
The Flyers don't play again until Tuesday, following the NHL's all-star break. That would give Briere another week to get healthy.
"We can't afford to have any more setbacks where he's concerned," coach John Stevens said. "We've already been through it twice. I think it's due diligence on our part to make sure he's ready to come back, especially with the break coming up.''
Briere is in the second year of the deal he signed with Philly in July 2007 after recording a career-high 95 points (32 goals) for the Buffalo Sabres.
Briere had 72 points (31 goals) in his first season with the Flyers, and helped the team reach the Eastern Conference final.
This season, he has nine points (five goals) in nine games.
