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Holmgren: Briere buyout ‘very difficult decision’ for Flyers

BriereHolmgren

With Daniel Briere’s compliance buyout now just a formality, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren spoke Thursday about what many are calling the end of an era.

“This was a very difficult decision for us to make as Danny has been a very good player for us over the past six years,” Holmgren told the Flyers website. “Danny came to our organization as a free agent in July of 2007 and has been a tremendous player, person and role model in all aspects and for that we thank him.

“We wish him continued success and best wishes in any future endeavors.”

Briere accomplished plenty in Philadelphia after leaving Buffalo six years ago. He represented the Flyers in a pair of All-Star Games (2007, 2011), winning MVP honors at the ’07 contest.

In 2010, he finished as the leading postseason scorer -- 30 points in 23 games -- setting a Flyers’ franchise record in the process.

In the end, though, the organization could no longer afford Briere’s front-loaded eight-year, $52 million deal.

Here’s more, from Philaldephia Flyers Inside Reporter Anthony SanFilippo:

He had two years remaining and while he was only owed $3 million for next season and $2 million the season after, Briere, 35, still had to have a cap hit of $6.5 million per the rules in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) which says the Average Annual Value (AAV) of a player’s contract counts toward the cap, not the specific dollar figure.

The Flyers will now have to pay Briere 75 percent of his remaining money owed - $3.75 million – but will have twice as long to pay it as was the term remaining on his contract.

This means the Flyers will pay Briere $937,500 per season for the next four seasons. As a result, the team will get cap relief by not having any portion of his contract count against the cap.

In speaking with SanFilippo, Briere had nothing but kind words for the city, organization and fans.

“I just want to say thank you to all the fans and my teammates for the wonderful last six years here,” he said. “Also, I want to thank the Flyers organization for treating me so well during my stay here.

“I will always be grateful to everyone around the team for my time spent as a Flyer.”