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Despite healthy scratches, Briere won’t be ‘that miserable old guy’

Vancouver Canucks v Colorado Avalanche

Vancouver Canucks v Colorado Avalanche

NHLI via Getty Images

Daniel Briere has been a healthy scratch in each of Colorado’s last six contests, but he isn’t letting the situation frustrate him.

“I’m trying to take it all in,” Briere explained, per the Delaware County Daily Times. “I don’t want to be that miserable old guy that comes to the rink every day just complaining about everything.

“I try to have fun with it, have fun with the guys and enjoy as much as I can while I still have the chance.”

At 37, it’s clear time has caught up with Briere. He’s struggled through three consecutive down years in three different cities -- Philadelphia, Montreal and Colorado -- and suffered setbacks in each market: Philly bought him out, Montreal traded him after banishment to the press box and the Avs are now parking him in favor of the likes of Dennis Everberg and Marc-Andre Cliche.

That said, he is trying to fill the role Colorado envisioned for him -- even if it’s not on the ice. Briere, along with Jarome Iginla and Brad Stuart, is a veteran presence brought aboard to help one of the NHL’s youngest teams adapt to life with expectations after last year’s breakout campaign. In that regard, Briere isn’t just fulfilling his duties with the Avs -- he’s relishing them.

“I’m staying ready for whenever they need me,” he explained. “We have some extra (players) and I just have to bide my time in a little bit of a different role. But I embrace it.

“I don’t know how much time I have left but I don’t want to come to the rink and be miserable and not enjoying what’s going on. Right now all I can do is stay ready.”