just because people arent posting about it non-stop doesnt mean they do not care, imo
- Crimsoninja

nonsense

I think you answered your question for me but to go a little further, if a mechanism to get out of that contract is available in this new CBA, then I want them to not hesitate for a second.
- JoeRussomanno

lets wait and see what happens in the playoffs and if there even is an amnesty mechanism... I hate to postulate about it when they are still in the midst of a playoff run. How will you feel if the make it to the Cup Finals with Briere scoring a point or more per game, like he usually does?

Whatever line Briere is on will struggle (defensively). Briere plays an important position in the defensive zone. We all know he's not the greatest defender.
- stveshdy

I'm not really looking to start this debate because it's futile at this point, I'll wait till the season is over, but after last night there is no doubt in my mind that if and when we come accross Boston or New York he is going to be a major hindrance because they will limit his scoring and maximize theirs when he is out there.

lets wait and see what happens in the playoffs and if there even is an amnesty mechanism... I hate to postulate about it when they are still in the midst of a playoff run. How will you feel if the make it to the Cup Finals with Briere scoring a point or more per game, like he usually does?
- Marc D

Like you said, let's wait and see.

I'm not knocking the way Briere plays though, I'm just saying you need to put him on a line that will counter-balance his weakness. And with JVR coming back, now would be a good time to do just that.
- RooNosHockey

Him moving to wing could help that greatly. Let Schenn and Couturier be centers. Problem is dany is better on offense at center and less problematic on defense on the wing.

I just dont like the idea of keeping this line together. Pittsburgh exploits it. I think you put Voracek and either Read, Wellwood, or Hartnell with him to even out Briere's weakness. Schenn isn't good enough defensively yet, and neither is Simmonds. Wellwood or Read would be fast enough and defensively away enough to comensate for Briere.
- RooNosHockey

The coach has to be careful he doesnt mess up the chemistry with the other lines. The Flyers are up in this series 3-1. The coach needs to do a better job of matching and Briere needs to take more responsibility in his own end.

Him moving to wing could help that greatly. Let Schenn and Couturier be centers. Problem is dany is better on offensive at center and less problematic on defense on the wing.
- funmaster18

didn't they try moving him to wing and it became a major disaster? If he can play wing and better defensively on the wing I will completely change my stance.

I'm not knocking the way Briere plays though, I'm just saying you need to put him on a line that will counter-balance his weakness. And with JVR coming back, now would be a good time to do just that.
- RooNosHockey

Do you know how many practices JVR took so far?

I'm not really looking to start this debate because it's futile at this point, I'll wait till the season is over, but after last night there is no doubt in my mind that if and when we come accross Boston or New York he is going to be a major hindrance because they will limit his scoring and maximize theirs when he is out there.
- JoeRussomanno

So as the guy who preaches that everything is about the team, you're going to state that Briere the individual will be shut down the rest of the playoffs because the team lost an anomalous 10-3 playoff game? All this while ignoring his production in the past 2 playoff years, including a Stanley Cup finals tying record amount of points?

Do you know how many practices JVR took so far?
- nhindian

3 I think.

Do you know how many practices JVR took so far?
- nhindian

just started this week, so maybe 2, 3 tops?

Depres should play over Martin, but you know that

didn't they try moving him to wing and it became a major disaster? If he can play wing and better defensively on the wing I will completely change my stance.
- JoeRussomanno

I don't remember any "disaster", I just think he's more comfortable at center.

So as the guy who preaches that everything is about the team, you're going to state that Briere the individual will be shut down the rest of the playoffs because the team lost an anomalous 10-3 playoff game? All this while ignoring his production in the past 2 6 (SIX!!!) playoff years, including a Stanley Cup finals tying record amount of points?
- eayost

fixed

So as the guy who preaches that everything is about the team, you're going to state that Briere the individual will be shut down the rest of the playoffs because the team lost an anomalous 10-3 playoff game? All this while ignoring his production in the past 2 playoff years, including a Stanley Cup finals tying record amount of points?
- eayost

Everything is about the team. However that doesn't mean that a guy's weaknesses can't be exploited and Briere is a big component to the team.

Yes from a 10-3 game I am of that impression. It's more than just the score, it's due to my observation of what happens when a team commits to defending against him.

I'm not saying the rest of the playoffs he will be shut down either just if the Flyers come accross teams like I mentioned. Hopefully the team can overcome this and get past those teams.

Him moving to wing could help that greatly. Let Schenn and Couturier be centers. Problem is dany is better on offense at center and less problematic on defense on the wing.
- funmaster18

So why don't they play him with Read. In the Defensive zone, Read can be the Center, and Briere can switch to Center on the rush and offensive zone.

I don't remember any "disaster", I just think he's more comfortable at center.
- funmaster18

Then if my memory is blurred and he's better defensively at the wing then by all means make the move Lavy! Gotta maximize his strengths and minimize his weaknesses. Perhaps my issue is with the coaching. Like I keep trying to say but you guys keep pushing me to defend my stance I would rather see what happens the rest of the way out.

So why don't they play him with Read. In the Defensive zone, Read can be the Center, and Briere can switch to Center on the rush and offensive zone.
- RooNosHockey

I think they've done that before actually, can't remember when. Getting JVR back gives the team a lot of options.

Everything is about the team. However that doesn't mean that a guy's weaknesses can't be exploited and Briere is a big component to the team.

Yes from a 10-3 game I am of that impression. It's more than just the score, it's due to my observation of what happens when a team commits to defending against him.

I'm not saying the rest of the playoffs he will be shut down either just if the Flyers come accross teams like I mentioned. Hopefully the team can overcome this and get past those teams.
- JoeRussomanno

Him moving to wing could help that greatly. Let Schenn and Couturier be centers. Problem is dany is better on offense at center and less problematic on defense on the wing.
- funmaster18

If you notice they move Schenn to take some of the faceoffs for Briere.
But it is more of the same problem they had last year, too many top line centers and not enough wingers.

Homer did a fabulous job correcting it getting Jakob and Simmonds and Jagr to help fill out the wings. After the draft not many expected Couts to jump in right away and be a full timer this season. So now they are back to too many top line centers with G/Schenn/Briere/Couts. And Schenn is definitely better at center. Its a good problem to have, in many ways.

Then if my memory is blurred and he's better defensively at the wing then by all means make the move Lavy! Gotta maximize his strengths and minimize his weaknesses. Perhaps my issue is with the coaching. Like I keep trying to say but you guys keep pushing me to defend my stance I would rather see what happens the rest of the way out.
- JoeRussomanno

I don't know that he's better on the wing, it's just less of a defensive responsibility so if that can help, try it out. I don't think the briere or his line was the reason they lost last night, though.

- GoFlyersGoSlovakia

I think you need to take that in consideration with the sky is falling routine.

Philadelphia catalyst and emerging leader Claude Giroux is confident with Ilya Bryzgalov between the pipes. "I'm not worried about Bryz," said Giroux following Wednesday night's jaw-dropping 10-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. "He knows what he's got to do. He's a lead goaltender, and we've got to do a better job in front of him. He'll be our best player in Game 5." This first-round series has not been kind to any goaltender, but the Penguins may have built some momentum for themselves going back home for Game 5.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News

Bryz is going to be fine.

If you notice they move Schenn to take some of the faceoffs for Briere.
But it is more of the same problem they had last year, too many top line centers and not enough wingers.

Homer did a fabulous job correcting it getting Jakob and Simmonds and Jagr to help fill out the wings. After the draft not many expected Couts to jump in right away and be a full timer this season. So now they are back to too many top line centers with G/Schenn/Briere/Couts. And Schenn is definitely better at center. Its a good problem to have, in many ways.
- Marc D

Yep, next year Schenn and Couturier should be full time 2nd and 3rd line centers, IMO.

I think you need to take that in consideration with the sky is falling routine.
- JoeRussomanno

And you with the "everything is okay routine .

Actually, last night was so comical that today is one of my better days. You can go back 50 pages and check out my posts you will not find one resembling "sky is falling" "routine"

I don't know that he's better on the wing, it's just less of a defensive responsibility so if that can help, try it out. I don't think the briere or his line was the reason they lost last night, though.
- funmaster18

I'm not saying they were the absolute reason they lost, the list is too long to even start. All I'm saying is that one play is a microcosm of him and the line defensively. The amount of even strength goals they've given up is an indication of this. Im sorry I don't give a flying eff who the player is, you can't stand flat footed while the team is fighting for the rebound watch the puck squirt out and make no effort to get to it. That's what happened on that play and that isn't the first time. Stuff like that ends your playoff ride regardless if you're averaging a point per game or not.