Flyers Trade Talk: Briere Ready to Deal

The Philadelphia Flyers could become major players on the NHL trade market. They have cap space, and GM Daniel Briere is willing to use it to full advantage.

Like water in Mad Max and a dozen other apocalyptic futurist movies, cap space is a valuable commodity in short supply. Teams with it can weaponize it for maximum impact, gaining players and premium draft picks for selling it.

Briere did a radio hit on TSN1200 to discuss rebuilding and the NHL trade possibilities with his cap space. According to our partners at PuckPedia.com, the Flyers have less than $1 million in cap space but the potential to create millions more with LTIR.

According to the TSN website, Briere told the radio show he’s willing to leverage his cap space on the NHL trade market.

“I’ve talked to many teams, and I’ve let them know there’s a possibility for us to help them (clear salaries) if they’re able to help us on the back end with some younger guys,” Briere said.

Ryan Ellis is currently listed on IR. Speculation continues that Ellis’ career is over, meaning his $6.25 million salary is what Briere will put on LTIR. The going rate for accepting a few million in salary cap space has been at least a second, if not a first-round pick or promising prospect as part of the deal.

“Teams are very well aware of the position that we’re in, and hopefully, we can work together to make something happen. The future will tell,” he concluded.

The Flyers have had an up-and-down start to the 2022-23 NHL season, with one good effort and a not-so-good one. Saturday, Sportsnet also reported the Canucks are hoping to shed $1-2 million by trading away Conor Garland but most teams are hesitant to deal players at this early point in the season.

Perhaps the Flyers will break the logjam with the one thing teams want: cap space.