NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA 2015: Sabres vs Flyers OCT 27 October 27, 2015: Former Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres Danny Briere looks on as he waits to drop the puck during the NHL game between the Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers at Well Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Christopher Szagola/CSM Philadelphia Pennsylvania UNITED STATES EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20151027_zaf_c04_007.jpg ChristopherxSzagolax csmphototwo174743
NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA 2015: Sabres vs Flyers OCT 27 October 27, 2015: Former Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres Danny Briere looks on as he waits to drop the puck during the NHL game between the Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers at Well Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Christopher Szagola/CSM Philadelphia Pennsylvania UNITED STATES EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20151027_zaf_c04_007.jpg ChristopherxSzagolax csmphototwo174743
The Philadelphia Flyers' playoff history hasn't been that great. But this offseason, GM Daniel Briere is betting he can change that.
“We’re serious,” the GM said recently per NHL.com’s Deputy Managing Editor Adam Kimelman. “The players did their part last year, and we're trying to do ours. We’re going to keep trying to improve the team to give them the best chance to be a contender for years to come.”
After the $90M fall-out deal with Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson, the Flyers went ahead and re-signed center Trevor Zegras to a four-year, $36.5M contract extension. Briere’s vision is to build contenders, and he's not wasting time to get there.
18 October 2014: Daniel Briere 48 of the Colorado Avalanche looks across the rink during the warmup period prior to the NHL Eishockey Herren USA match against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre in Montreal Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Avalanche 3-2. NHL Eishockey Herren USA OCT 18 Avalanche at Canadiens PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon141018030 18 October 2014 Daniel Briere 48 of The Colorado Avalanche looks across The Rink during The warmup Period Prior to The NHL Ice hockey men USA Match Against The Montreal Canadiens AT The Bell Centre in Montreal Quebec Canada The Canadiens defeated The Avalanche 3 2 NHL Ice hockey men USA OCT 18 Avalanche AT Canadiens PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY
18 October 2014: Daniel Briere 48 of the Colorado Avalanche looks across the rink during the warmup period prior to the NHL Eishockey Herren USA match against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre in Montreal Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Avalanche 3-2. NHL Eishockey Herren USA OCT 18 Avalanche at Canadiens PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon141018030 18 October 2014 Daniel Briere 48 of The Colorado Avalanche looks across The Rink during The warmup Period Prior to The NHL Ice hockey men USA Match Against The Montreal Canadiens AT The Bell Centre in Montreal Quebec Canada The Canadiens defeated The Avalanche 3 2 NHL Ice hockey men USA OCT 18 Avalanche AT Canadiens PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY
Moreover, Zegras' 26-goal, 67-point season (2026-27) proved that he can be the center the team needs. But that is not the only area the GM has worked on to bring about the transformation he envisions.
"We tried to improve the power play. We're going to keep looking," he said, per the same segment. "At this point, most free agents are signed, so it's more on the trade front. So, if there's a chance there, we're going to look to improve that."
Briere's offseason work remains incomplete, but early results, a playoff sweep and Zegras' extension suggest momentum.
Daniel Briere’s Vision Shows Fruition
The Flyers made their first playoff appearance this season since 2020. They swept the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round and finished 3rd in the Metropolitan Division with a 43–27–12 record. And the Carlsson offer sheet worked more like a validation.
“In the offer sheet process, there are many teams to choose from. And he (Carlsson) selected us. Which was a good sign,” Briere said in the same segment. “I think more and more from the outside, we're starting to see more players being involved.”
But this hasn't been an ego-inflator. If anything, Briere is committed to sustaining this momentum
"We realize also that it's far from being a done deal, and we still have a lot of work to do," he added. "If something makes sense, we're going to look to improve."
How much do you think he will be able to fulfill his vision? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Deblina Roy