I'll never say anything bad about Daniel Briere -- he came to the Flyers after the single-worst season I've ever had the misfortune of watching. They were so bad in the Season That Shall Not Be Referenced Frequently, it was hard to believe that anything good was going to happen soon.

But Paul Holmgren was crafty and got Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen, and Briere signed (for a ton of money and years, true, but he still came), and Homer added Joffrey Lupul and Jason Smith, etc., and the next thing you know those boys were back in the playoffs. Hell, it could be argued that with how bad they were in the Season That Shall Not Be Referenced Frequently, they probably should've missed another season or two.

Briere did about what I expected him to do, with an 8-year contract that would take him into his mid-30s, as a smaller player. He played well for the majority, was plagued by injury one season, then started to wear down by years 5 and 6.

I don't know how much he has left in the tank -- truthfully, I don't think he has much. But at the same time, I'll root for him, whatever he decides to do, because man, when he came...wow. Did we ever need him to produce, and he did.
- AllInForFlyers

I would love for the Flyers to face Mr. Playoffs in the post season for although he will score 8 goals, he will be on the ice for 15 goals against. To lead the league in goal scoring each playoffs and yet still be a big minus player shows exactly why the Flyers got their butts handed to them against defensively sound teams like Boston and New Jersey.
- psuhockey

could it be this easy? haha

User Generated Roster: Philadelphia FlyersMy Custom Lineup


Other User RostersBuild Your Own Roster

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell ($4.750m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)
Valtteri Filppula ($4.500m) / Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)
Simon Gagne ($2.000m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Damien Brunner ($2.000m)
Scott Laughton ($1.107m) / Maxime Talbot ($1.750m) / Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m)
Tye McGinn ($0.775m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Streit ($5.100m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Kimmo Timonen ($6.000m) / Braydon Coburn ($4.500m)
Bruno Gervais ($0.825m) / Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m)
Marc-Andre Bourdon ($0.613m)
GOALTENDERS
Jonathan Bernier ($3.100m)
Steve Mason ($1.500m)
OTHER
Buyout: Oskars Bartulis ($0.100m)
Buyout: Danny Briere ($0.000m)
Buyout: Ilya Bryzgalov ($0.000m)
Buried: Chris Pronger ($4.016m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $66,945,595; BONUSES: $2,800,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $154,405

could it be this easy? haha

User Generated Roster: Philadelphia FlyersMy Custom Lineup


Other User RostersBuild Your Own Roster

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell ($4.750m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)
Valtteri Filppula ($4.500m) / Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)
Simon Gagne ($2.000m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Damien Brunner ($2.000m)
Scott Laughton ($1.107m) / Maxime Talbot ($1.750m) / Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m)
Tye McGinn ($0.775m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Streit ($5.100m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Kimmo Timonen ($6.000m) / Braydon Coburn ($4.500m)
Bruno Gervais ($0.825m) / Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m)
Marc-Andre Bourdon ($0.613m)
GOALTENDERS
Jonathan Bernier ($3.100m)
Steve Mason ($1.500m)
OTHER
Buyout: Oskars Bartulis ($0.100m)
Buyout: Danny Briere ($0.000m)
Buyout: Ilya Bryzgalov ($0.000m)
Buried: Chris Pronger ($4.016m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $66,945,595; BONUSES: $2,800,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $154,405
- flyersfan51

Where is gus? Pretty sure Bruner goes nowhere. Filpulla is interesting

could it be this easy? haha

User Generated Roster: Philadelphia FlyersMy Custom Lineup


Other User RostersBuild Your Own Roster

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell ($4.750m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)
Valtteri Filppula ($4.500m) / Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)
Simon Gagne ($2.000m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Damien Brunner ($2.000m)
Scott Laughton ($1.107m) / Maxime Talbot ($1.750m) / Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m)
Tye McGinn ($0.775m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Streit ($5.100m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Kimmo Timonen ($6.000m) / Braydon Coburn ($4.500m)
Bruno Gervais ($0.825m) / Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m)
Marc-Andre Bourdon ($0.613m)
GOALTENDERS
Jonathan Bernier ($3.100m)
Steve Mason ($1.500m)
OTHER
Buyout: Oskars Bartulis ($0.100m)
Buyout: Danny Briere ($0.000m)
Buyout: Ilya Bryzgalov ($0.000m)
Buried: Chris Pronger ($4.016m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $66,945,595; BONUSES: $2,800,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $154,405
- flyersfan51

I don't like the defense. Why isn't Gustafsson included? And the Cap space number there isn't accurate, because Pronger can't be buried.

I agree with you. We're in the minority I think.
- TheGreat28

I agree too. But I can understand the choice, you just gave up Richards and Carter and Pronger wasn't gone for life yet, so Center wasn't as sure as it is now, and defense wasn't as much of a need.

What really is head scratching is Laughton over Maata. When your Center IS secure already and you lose Pronger, Timonen about to retire, and Carle about to walk in FA...

We went from last place to the Eastern Conference Finals, which correct me if I'm wrong, the greatest turn around in sports history...
- dingo8urbaby

Almost. The Atlanta Braves & Minnesota Twins were worst in their respective divisions in 1990 before going to the 1991 World Series (which the Twins won). The Phillies would do the same from 1992 (worst) to 1993 (World Series).

I do believe the Flyers had the best improvement in 1 NHL season, going from 56 points to 100-something (on phone, too arduous to look up while posting) in 2007-08.

In the 2011 draft (Coots 8th and Dougie Hamilton 9th), there were 3 defencemen taken in the top 10.

The following year (last years draft) there were 8 defencemen taken in the top 10.

Point being, top tier defenders are an extremely valuable commodity and GM's realize this. I was surprised we didnt pick Hamilton at the draft. He very well may win the Calder this year!
- MrBigglesworth

Except that he wasn't nominated into the final 3 so one of Saad, Gallagher, or Huberdeau will be winning it.

So if Briere is bought out, he will most likely sign with Devils or Islanders or Rangers to stay close to his kids, right?

Imagine how terrible it will be facing Mr Playoffs in the post season in the midst of one of his hot streaks, knowing our club is paying (most of) his salary.


- MrBigglesworth

Briere + Bryz on NJD

Islander fans did you watch our defense last year? For us streit is a mobile puck moving dman
- Just5

Let me make an analogy. Did you ever play with Voltron? Our defense is like having all the same "lions". You cant make Voltron with all the same pieces. Streit is a different kind of lion, now you can start to build Voltron.

In the 2011 draft (Coots 8th and Dougie Hamilton 9th), there were 3 defencemen taken in the top 10.

The following year (last years draft) there were 8 defencemen taken in the top 10.

Point being, top tier defenders are an extremely valuable commodity and GM's realize this. I was surprised we didnt pick Hamilton at the draft. He very well may win the Calder this year!
- MrBigglesworth

So while he would not have been on the Flyers roster last season and having been taken instead of Couturier, who would have kept Malkin in check last spring in the playoffs?

I agree too. But I can understand the choice, you just gave up Richards and Carter and Pronger wasn't gone for life yet, so Center wasn't as sure as it is now, and defense wasn't as much of a need.

What really is head scratching is Laughton over Maata. When your Center IS secure already and you lose Pronger, Timonen about to retire, and Carle about to walk in FA...
- youarewrong

Does it matter if Laughton is a better player then Maata is?

I understand that the Flyers couldn't buy out Briere and then sign him to a new contract. Nor could they trade him to Team A, have Team A buy him out, and then have us re-sign him.

However, let's say he signed with Team A with a 1-year contract (not sure how viable that is). And then, Team A falls out of playoff contention. Can we re-acquire him as a Trade Dead Line piece, or is that still considered circumvention?

I don't like the defense. Why isn't Gustafsson included? And the Cap space number there isn't accurate, because Pronger can't be buried.
- MJL

I couldn't find him on there.

Let me make an analogy. Did you ever play with Voltron? Our defense is like having all the same "lions". You cant make Voltron with all the same pieces. Streit is a different kind of lion, now you can start to build Voltron.
- youarewrong

amazing

I understand that the Flyers couldn't buy out Briere and then sign him to a new contract. Nor could they trade him to Team A, have Team A buy him out, and then have us re-sign him.

However, let's say he signed with Team A with a 1-year contract (not sure how viable that is). And then, Team A falls out of playoff contention. Can we re-acquire him as a Trade Dead Line piece, or is that still considered circumvention?
- steelydan

I can't see that scenario being viewed as circumvention.

I understand that the Flyers couldn't buy out Briere and then sign him to a new contract. Nor could they trade him to Team A, have Team A buy him out, and then have us re-sign him.

However, let's say he signed with Team A with a 1-year contract (not sure how viable that is). And then, Team A falls out of playoff contention. Can we re-acquire him as a Trade Dead Line piece, or is that still considered circumvention?
- steelydan

I'm nearly certain Philly couldn't get him back before one year has passed, no matter the situation.

Does it matter if Laughton is a better player then Maata is?
- MJL

Depends on how much better? If Laughton is superstar better then sure it matters. If they are drafted within 2 spots of eachother and project almost the same, and Laughton cant crack the line-up because of roster depth, then no.

I couldn't find him on there.
- flyersfan51

Under Free Agents, select RFA and then sign to whatever the estimate is for his deal.

I couldn't find him on there.
- flyersfan51

not really sure why Pronger is a -1.0 but here goes: I don't know how to get rid of his salary.
User Generated Roster: Philadelphia FlyersMy Custom Lineup


Other User RostersBuild Your Own Roster

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell ($4.750m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)
Valtteri Filppula ($4.500m) / Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)
Simon Gagne ($2.000m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Damien Brunner ($2.000m)
Scott Laughton ($1.107m) / Maxime Talbot ($1.750m) / Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m)
Tye McGinn ($0.775m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Streit ($5.100m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Kimmo Timonen ($6.000m) / Braydon Coburn ($4.500m)
Erik Gustafsson ($1.100m) / Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m)
Bruno Gervais ($0.825m) / Marc-Andre Bourdon ($0.613m)
GOALTENDERS
Jonathan Bernier ($3.100m)
Steve Mason ($1.500m)
OTHER
Buyout: Oskars Bartulis ($0.100m)
Buyout: Danny Briere ($0.000m)
Buyout: Ilya Bryzgalov ($0.000m)
Buyout: Chris Pronger (-$1.046m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $62,983,095; BONUSES: $2,800,000
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $4,116,905

Depends on how much better? If Laughton is superstar better then sure it matters. If they are drafted within 2 spots of eachother and project almost the same, and Laughton cant crack the line-up because of roster depth, then no.
- youarewrong

So what do you know about Maata other then he's a defenseman?

Let me make an analogy. Did you ever play with Voltron? Our defense is like having all the same "lions". You cant make Voltron with all the same pieces. Streit is a different kind of lion, now you can start to build Voltron.
- youarewrong

We could use a new Pronger sword.

not really sure why Pronger is a -1.0 but here goes: I don't know how to get rid of his salary.
User Generated Roster: Philadelphia FlyersMy Custom Lineup


Other User RostersBuild Your Own Roster

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell ($4.750m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)
Valtteri Filppula ($4.500m) / Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)
Simon Gagne ($2.000m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Damien Brunner ($2.000m)
Scott Laughton ($1.107m) / Maxime Talbot ($1.750m) / Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m)
Tye McGinn ($0.775m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Streit ($5.100m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Kimmo Timonen ($6.000m) / Braydon Coburn ($4.500m)
Erik Gustafsson ($1.100m) / Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m)
Bruno Gervais ($0.825m) / Marc-Andre Bourdon ($0.613m)
GOALTENDERS
Jonathan Bernier ($3.100m)
Steve Mason ($1.500m)
OTHER
Buyout: Oskars Bartulis ($0.100m)
Buyout: Danny Briere ($0.000m)
Buyout: Ilya Bryzgalov ($0.000m)
Buyout: Chris Pronger (-$1.046m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $62,983,095; BONUSES: $2,800,000
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $4,116,905
- flyersfan51

The Capgeek calculator has a flaw in it, in that you can't place a player on LTIR. You just have to include him and then factor it in yourself.

So while he would not have been on the Flyers roster last season and having been taken instead of Couturier, who would have kept Malkin in check last spring in the playoffs?
- Flyskippy

The question is, do you want to win one round in the playoffs or do you want to build a team that can seriously compete with the Bruins, Kings, Blackhawks, Red Wings, etc.

I certainly don't think it is easy to win a Cup, and I agree that this mentality of "implement whatever system the last cup winner used" doesn't work either. But let's face it, it is also completely valid that an organization with our resources has not won a cup in 35 or whatever years.

I personally think Hamilton would have been the better selection to build a team that is more likely, all things considered, to win a cup in the long run. That doesn't take anything away from Coots either.

The Capgeek calculator has a flaw in it, in that you can't place a player on LTIR. You just have to include him and then factor it in yourself.
- MJL

thanks - i added it all up and it fits.