Flyers to buy out remaining 2 years of Briere's contract

Philadelphia, PA – Danny Briere's time in Philadelphia is over.

The Flyers announced Thursday that the club will buy out the remaining two years of the veteran forward's contract.

"I met with Danny last week and informed him of our decision to use a compliance buy out on his contract," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said in a statement. "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. 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."

The money owed the 35-year-old Briere was not necessarily the problem. Rather, it was the cap number. Although he was due to make only $5 million over the final two years of the eight-year, $52 million deal he signed as a free agent in 2007, Briere still would have counted $6.5 million against the cap.

The Flyers will now have to pay Briere 75 percent of the remaining money he is owed over the next four years ($937,500 per season).

"Not really. I've been here two, three, four times a week, working out, around everybody. There's no sense of relief, that's for sure," Briere said when asked if knowing the move was coming made it easier to deal with. "It's a sad day that it's finally official. But I've known for a little bit, and I guess I was just trying to get ready for it. I'll always be grateful for that and also my time here as a Flyer."

Briere totaled 124 goals and 159 assists in 364 regular-season games with the Flyers. The Quebec native earned the moniker as "Mr. Playoffs" for putting up sterling postseason numbers while in Philadelphia. He compiled 37 goals and 72 points in 68 playoff games as a Flyer and set a franchise record for points in a single postseason with 30 during Philadelphia's run to the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals.

For his career, Briere has registered 286 goals and 373 assists in 847 games with Phoenix, Buffalo and the Flyers.